Added a MAS-36 to my collection

[labrat1469]

The Germans were known to use captured weapons during WW2. As stated above most rifles were refurbished. I just got lucky and found this one

[WarPig1976]

From wiki, the German designation was Gew 242F. These rifles have an interesting history that I have to admit I never considered.

[Aragorn243]

I think a lot of people don't really consider the actual circumstances of France under the occupation. Initially, the Germans didn't occupy the entire country and the southern portion and the North African Colonies were under Vichy control. They maintained their army, navy and air force outside of German supervision. These rifles may have been used against US troops during the invasion of North Africa. They would have been used during the various wars of independence of the French colonies also, the most remembered Vietnam.

Very few were built once the Germans conquered France and there is a several year gap in production which was not resumed until the factories were retaken by the allies. The Lebel carbines are commonly known to have German markings, why this one is not I don't know unless it is simply because this was the first line weapon and the Vichy army was given preference for this weapon. The Lebels were left overs and used by occupation troops and police type forces.

[read6737]

I have 2 MAS 36s.
One with a M pre fix so post war in 7.08 cal in new condirion and is a fantastic shooter.
The other is a H pre fix so pre war in 30cal, also a great shooter.
It has seen better days though, it has a new barrel, and front end wood,
if you look at the 2 pics you will see the front of the mag area has been bent,
the rifle was made unuseable by holding the barrel and then smashing it against something hard.
The but stock is still origional.
I live in the Limousin where the resistance had constant running battles ith the Germans,
The local troops and Gendarmes emptied the armories and took to the hills and woods near Gueret.
You can follow the day by day battles and the spots where people were killed are marked and many graves are still there. Attachment 49370Attachment 49369

[read6737]

I have looked for German markins and cannot find any.
Just a modern proof mark when it had a new barrel.

[WarPig1976]

I think your right, the damage looks intensional and perhaps spent some time exposed to the elements too.

[labrat1469]

One person on another board brought up that the letters could be the initials of the Viet Minh or Viet Cong soldier that once owned the rifle. He said it's not uncommon for a Vietnamese to have 4 names in their names and he also said that the previous Vietnamese owner could have been female too.

[WarPig1976]

How could one tell "female"?

[labrat1469]

I'm not sure if he was joking about female Viet Minh/Viet Cong or speaking from experience. But from my reading I found it wasn't uncommon for women to fight in Viet Cong units as fighters.

[WarPig1976]

Gotcha, No he wasn't joking.