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AUCTION DETAILS: Comes with original mummy wrapping.
The MAS 49/56 rifle is an improved version of the original MAS49 French rifle. The MAS-49/56 was introduced in 1957 and incorporated lessons learned from service in Algeria, Indochina, and the Suez Crisis. The rifle was shortened and lightened to improve mobility for mechanized and airborne troops. The MAS-49 built-in rifle grenade launcher was replaced by a combination compensator/rifle grenade launcher that fired NATO-standard 22mm rifle grenades. The rifle also incorporates an integral grenade launching sight that is attached to the front sight block and a gas cutoff that prevents gas from entering the gas tube from the gas port when firing grenade launching blank ammunition. Chambered in the 7.5MM French ( 7.5 X 54 ) round. While relatively common as imports in the late 1980's and early 90's these rifles have been dried up on the surplus market for well over 20 years now. This is a very unique and collectible rifle and in this day and time, it is virtually unheard of to find one in this condition. The MAS-49/56 was the French Military equivalent to the U.S. M14. These have not been available for years and collectors who know this rifle know that they demand a premium. All of the guys on staff want this but rather than have a fist fight here over who get's it, we thought it best to bring it to auction. If they want it, they can bid on it. Don't miss this chance to add one to your collection. C&R Eligible - See extended description lower on the page for even more information.
An improved version of the original Mas 49 called the MAS-49/56 was introduced in 1957 and incorporated lessons learned from service in Algeria, Indochina, and the Suez Crisis. The rifle was shortened and lightened to improve mobility for mechanized and airborne troops. The MAS-49 built-in rifle grenade launcher was replaced by a combination compensator / grenade launcher that fired NATO-standard 22mm rifle grenades.The rifle also incorporates an integral grenade launching sight that is attached to the front sight block and a gas cutoff that prevents gas from entering the gas tube from the gas port when firing grenade launching blank ammunition. These rifles were carried by French Military services and the famed French Foreign Legion and saw battle in numerous ports of call. They were well respected for their toughness under battle conditions and reliability. This was basically the French military version of our M14 but proceeded the M14 in terms of integrated technology.
Attempts were made to replace the MAS-49/56, but none were successful until 1978 and when it was replaced with the modern 5.56 NAto caliber FAMAS Bullpup rifle which is still in use today. The MAS-49/56 was withdrawn from service in 1990. Total production of rifles was 275,240 rifles issued between 1957 and 1978.
Hey Everybody, This is Ben, Let me tell you about this particular rifle. This rifle came to us originally in its mummy wrap directly from the French reserve arsenal where it had been arsenal reconditioned. The French do a great job with wrapping these rifles for storage in a unique rust inhibiting protective wrap and this one came to us tightly wrapped with only a small opening in the wrap which allowed the serial # to be read. Our intent was to keep it in the wrap just like it came to us and sell it as such....The downside would have been that we would have had no images of the rifle for the customer to see exactly what they were buying. The upside would have been " Hey, it's still in the original wrap. " As a collector, if I had my druther's, I would have learned to keep the wrap intact and that was our intent. Unfortunately, our staff photographer didn't get the memo. When someone told him to go get pictures of the Mas 49/56 his first thought was I will as soon as I get all of this ugly yellow wrapping off. Honestly, when I saw that he had removed the wrap to take the pictures I felt like someone had pulled all the feathers out of my prize parrot. Oh well, it's hard to put spilled milk back in the bottle. The upside is you can now see that this is indeed a really nice rifle with nothing hidden by the wrap, and let's be honest, at some point the buyer was going to have to remove the wrap anyway. The images you are seeing are the actual rifle you will be bidding on both without the wrap, and with the wrap replaced as best we could which is how it will ship. I have a passion for this particular rifle and think that it could be the crown jewel in any surplus collection. It was the pride of the French Foreign Legion and hopefully, you will be proud to make it your own.
Auction items are sold as-is with no returns. All known problems with this firearm are stated above. Images shown on this page are the actual rifle you will receive.
