Bought a Mas 49

[Dirtbiker]

I just bought a French Mas MLE1949 in its original caliber of 7.5mm. I have been researching this rifle as best I can but info is in short supply. Here is what I have so far.

This is a French rifle not a Syrian contract. It has no provisions to mount a bayonette. It has had it's grenade launcher removed by the French during a rearsenal. These are fairly scarce in the US with only about 800 rifles imported.

I'd like to know when this rifle was built but I can't find any info as to serial numbers. If anyone here can help me it is numbered F71XXX. Edit update: Looks like possibly made in 1956-57.

Enjoy the photos.

[Gunaria]

You get the Luck Dog Award for today.

[Ronco]

Check out this site: http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11

If you don't see what you want, register and post your question.

Good luck.

[smle-man]

remove the forearm and the date will be on the underside of the barrel close to the receiver.

[Saigon1965]

Ah nice the elusive MAS 49 -

[Spiggy]

it was probably manufactured before the installation of grenade launchers

[GenLee]

Friggin' SWEET!!!!

[GenLee]

So how much for that beauty?

[bplvr]

" I'll Take It !!! " SPF ..............

well , lets see if that flies.........

[knucklehead0202]

a mas49 wouldn't have a grenade launcher. only the 49/56 and 36/51s had it. 49 should use a similar bayonet to the 36, in that tube under the barrel. 49s are hard to come by and it should be chambered in 7.5x54 french. Prvi Partizan is now making ammo for it that's reloadable and decently priced. try graf & sons. some of the later ones, usually the 49/56s were rearsenaled and rechambered in 308. these actually had function problems whereas those chambered in the original 7.5 are virtually trouble-free and very accurate as well. nice score. i've been looking for one for a while but you can't bring 49/56s here and that seems to be most of what's around. anyhow, buy prvi ammo, shoot it, reload it, and enjoy that beauty.

[Pvt. Cowboy]

I had a 49/56. I sold it, but I liked it a lot. Really well built, and I had French Walnut furniture on mine that was as nice as yours is. My plastic charging knob was like new, but a tad age-yellowed.

Great gun, powerful round. I don't laugh at French designs. I like a lot of what they make, even if they do seem a little peculiar.

I have several extra magazines and some ammo laying around if you're interested. Cal-mail me.

[gtmmark]

These French rifles are way underated I wish I had bought a few more when they were cheap.

[smle-man]

a mas49 wouldn't have a grenade launcher. only the 49/56 and 36/51s had it. 49 should use a similar bayonet to the 36, in that tube under the barrel. 49s are hard to come by and it should be chambered in 7.5x54 french. Prvi Partizan is now making ammo for it that's reloadable and decently priced. try graf & sons. some of the later ones, usually the 49/56s were rearsenaled and rechambered in 308. these actually had function problems whereas those chambered in the original 7.5 are virtually trouble-free and very accurate as well. nice score. i've been looking for one for a while but you can't bring 49/56s here and that seems to be most of what's around. anyhow, buy prvi ammo, shoot it, reload it, and enjoy that beauty.

They were originally made with the GL but most were removed later due to the stress that the rifle received from firing the GL without a gas shut off for the gas system. Read "Proud Promise" for details on the French semi auto military rifles.

[Saigon1965]

Neat info. SMLE - Have to read that now -

[Silver Puss]

In 1997-1998 (an era the like of which is gone forever) I ordered a MAS 49/56 from AIM. A few days later they started to advertise the MAS 49 so I quickly ordered one of those too.

The MAS came with varying numbers of accessories. AIM tried to send as many different pieces as possible from whatever they had on hand at the moment. With the 49/56 I got a sling, cleaning kit, 3 spare magazines, and a leather magazine carrier. It also came with the second model bayonet. I subsequently obtained an example of the first model from a dealer at the San Mateo show.

I believe the 49 came with every accessory listed in Proud Promise including the night sight (no luminosity left), and cloth cover.

Here is the MAS 49 I received with grenade launcher and grenade sight.



In this left hand view, the launcher's spigot is immediately in front of the muzzle cap. A button on the right side of the cap allows the spigot to be coarsely adjusted for range. The knurled worm gear is for fine adjustment.

In the next photo the spigot has been moved out a little. I hope you can see the range markings.