Postwar French MAS 1936 MAS-36 7.5x54mm 23″ Bolt-Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $775
WOA#: WY231103JB024
Make: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France
Model: MAS MLE 1936
Serial Number: M24919
Year of Manufacture: Post-WWII
Caliber: 7.5x54mm (7.5 French)
Action Type: Bolt Action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “MAS Mle 1936”, “M24919”, and with a C.A.I. import mark. The bolt handle is marked “M24919”. The cocking piece is marked “D M”. The bottom of the magazine floor plate is marked “G30972”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “N56776”. The bottom of the bayonet is marked “16”. There are various small French proof and acceptance marks scattered throughout.
Barrel Length: 23”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post. The rear sight is a sliding aperture marked from 2-12.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The three piece wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with front sight assembly and stacking rod, hole for included bayonet, barrel band with sling ring, a sling well with sling bar and a metal butt plate. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The buttplate has some dings and scratches as well as heavy wear at the heel. There is wear at the bottom of the grip as well as along the left side of the buttstock. The wood where the buttstock meets the receiver is slightly discolored on both sides. There is a small crack at the front of the upper handguard. The LOP measures 12.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is defined. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There are faint drag lines on the sides of the receiver, the barrel, and the bottom of the bayonet. The finish is worn along the edges of the front sight. The edges of the trigger guard are worn. The screw heads show heavy use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. This rifle was made without a safety. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a leather sling in Good condition.
Our Assessment: The MAS-36 was originally intended to be used by rear echelon and colonial troops, as well as be a stop-gap replacement for the Lebel and Berthier rifles while work was being done on a semi-automatic rifle. These plans were changed when the Second World War started, forcing France to press the MAS-36 into frontline service. After the production and adoption of the MAS-49 and MAS-49/56, the MAS-36 would serve in its intended role well into the 1960s before it was completely phased out. This example is a Post-WWII produced rifle, most evident by the hooded front sight. The rifle’s receiver and bolt match but the other parts do not. It retains a lot of its parkerized finish, with handling and storage wear along the edges. Aside from a small crack in the upper handguard, the stock is in good condition with some moderate wear to the bottom of the grip and buttstock. The bore is also in good shape and there is more than enough rifling left for it to be an adequate shooter at the range. This would fit well into any French collection. Please see our photos.
-99
