3/3/22 - This is a very nice example of a French military rifle known as the Model 1949-56 and produced by MAS. The MAS 1949-56 is a reliable, accurate, easy to maintain semi-automatic rifle with a detachable 10-round magazine and a side rail designed to allow for attachable rifle scopes. The MAS 49-56 is the 1956 adaptation of the MAS-49, which was adopted as standard issue for the French army in 1949. The 49/56 improved upon the original model based on its usage in Algeria, Indochina, and the Suez Crisis. The 49/56 was made shorter and lighter, a knife bayonet was added, and the built in grenade launcher was altered to combine a compensator with a rifle grenade launcher that fired 22mm rifle grenades. The MAS-49/56 saw significantly more production than the original MAS-49 (275,240 versus 20,600) and saw action in French conflicts around the world until it was replaced by the FAMAS in 1979. This is an excellent example with minimal handling wear. Import mark on right side of receiver. Minty bore. Excellent wood furniture with very minor handling wear. Listing includes an original sling, bayonet and spare magazine.
