Postwar French MAS 1936 MAS-36 7.5x54mm 23″ Bolt-Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $755
WOA#: WY240117CB061
Make: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France
Model: MAS MLE 1936
Serial Number: Q55046
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”, “Q55046” and a C.A.I. import mark. The bolt handle is marked “Q55046”. The cocking piece is marked “D M”. The bottom of the magazine floor plate and trigger guard are marked “Q55046”. The left side of the forestock and buttstock are marked “Q55046”. The top of the receiver ring is marked with small French proof and acceptance marks.
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. The buttplate has light pitting underneath the finish. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There are two small divots in the right side finger groove. The LOP measures 12.6” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as arsenal refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore has been slightly counterbored. It is gray and the rifling is defined. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 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 as arsenal refurbished. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There are light drag marks on the sides of the receiver and nose cap. There is light pitting on the receiver under the finish. The bottom of the bayonet is worn. The action and bolt show operational wear. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear, some have been filled in with white to make them more legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle was made without a safety. We have not fired this rifle. 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 and under-barrel stored bayonet.
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. The rifle’s receiver, bolt, forestock, buttstock, magazine floor plate, and trigger guard have matching serial numbers. Though the serial numbers on the bolt handle, floor plate, and trigger guard use a non-cursive “Q”. It retains most of its parkerized finish, with handling and storage wear along the edges. The stock is in very good condition with light wear. The bore has a moderate amount of erosion, but there is more than enough rifling left for it to be an adequate shooter. The rifle comes with a leather sling. This would fit into any French collection. Please see our photos.
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