MAS-49 Rifle - History

History

The MAS-49 arrived after a series of small, distinct design improvements. Today this might be termed spiral development, where small elements are changed with successive models, rather than large significant changes. The principles of French semi-automatic rifle evolved from the prototype MAS-38/39 and the MAS-40, which entered limited service in March 1940, to the MAS-44, and minor models 44A, 44B and 44C. Although 50,000 MAS-44 rifles were ordered in January 1945, only 6,200 were delivered to the French Navy. The MAS-49 was formally adopted by the French Army in July 1949. As a service rifle it replaced the diverse collection of aging bolt-action rifles (MAS-36, Lee Enfield No4, U.S. M1917 and K98k) that were in French service after the end of World War II. It saw significant service with French troops in the latter stages of the First Indochina War, as well as during the Algerian War and the Suez Crisis.

An improved version 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, and a knife bayonet was added. The MAS-49 built-in grenade launcher was replaced by a combination rifle grenade launcher/compensator for NATO-standard 22 mm rifle grenades.

Attempts were made to replace the MAS-49, in the form of the MAS-54 and the FA-MAS Type 62, both 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles but neither were successful. The MAS-49/56 ended production in 1978 and was replaced with the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber FAMAS bullpup assault rifle. The MAS-49/56 was withdrawn from service in 1990. Whereas only 20,600 MAS-49 were manufactured, the MAS-49/56 was mass produced, attaining a total of 275,240 rifles issued between 1957 and 1978.