Syrian MAS Mle 49 7.5 French Semi-Auto Rifle w/Grenade Launcher C&R
SOLD FOR: 1,425
WOA#: WY240125JT003
Make: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France
Model: MAS MLE 1949 (Syrian Contract)
Serial Number: F35269
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: 7.5x54mm (7.5 French)
Action Type: Semi-automatic, detachable 10 round magazine.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “MAS Mle 1949”, “CAL 7,5”, and “F35269”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “F35269”. The underside of the barrel is marked with a C.A.I. import mark. The left side of the buttstock is marked “F35269”. The bottom of the bayonet is marked “69”. The right side is marked with a worn circular acceptance mark: “MA JUIN 1953”. The underside of the forend is marked “F35269”.
Barrel Length: 23”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post set between two protective ears.. The rear sight is an elevation adjustable escalator aperture sight marked from 2-12. A screw on the right side of the aperture housing can be turned to adjust the aperture for windage. The left side of the receiver has an integral scope base machined into it.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a nylon charging handle, semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with stacking rod, hole for the included bayonet, & grenade launcher sight, barrel band with sling ring, through bolt, sling well, sling bar, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate is pitted with oxidation. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a small chunk of wood missing on the right side of the wrist. The forend has a few deeper compression marks, on the right side, left side, and underside. The LOP measures 12.8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10 round magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore has been counterbored back from the muzzle about 0.25”. It is gray and the rifling is defined. There is light to 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 75% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The sides of the receiver have the most scratches present. The finish is worn along the edges of the receiver, trigger guard, sling ring, and front sight. The rear sight finish is heavily worn on the left side. The action shows usage wear. The screw heads show light use. The markings are mostly legible, though the stock roundel is worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a detachable ten round magazine.
Our Assessment: The MAS 49 was the third iteration of the MAS semi-automatic rifle series that began with the MAS 40. The idea behind the MAS 49 was to make a ‘universal’ rifle, one that could fill the role of a rifleman, grenadier, and designated marksman. To do this, a rifle grenade firing ability was built into the barrel and a dovetail was added to the left side of the receiver to allow for the attachment of optics. Less than 75,000 of these were built as they were soon replaced by the MAS 49/56. Syria would purchase around 6,000 of them, with the added requirement that they had the same underbarrel-stored bayonet as the MAS 36 rifle. This is an example of a Syrian contract rifle, with the under-barrel bayonet. According to the stock roundel it was accepted into French service in June of 1953, after which it was sent to Syria. The stock has some wear to it, with small chunks missing from the buttstock and larger compression marks on the forend. The metal retains most of its finish, with a fair amount of wear along most of the edges. The bore is in good shape, with more than enough rifling to make for an adequate shooter. These are really neat rifles that get overshadowed by the deluge of the subsequent MAS 49/56 on the surplus market. This would fit into any French, Syrian, or Cold War collection. Please see our photos.
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