The MAS-36 was a bolt-action rifle that used by France during World War II.
Description[]
It fired the 7.5x54 French Cartridge and had a five round magazine. The effective range of the MAS-36 was approximately 350 yards (320 m) and the weight was 3.71 kg. The entire length of the MAS was 102 cm and one of the special features of the MAS-36 was that it had no safety system. The rear iron sight is marked in 100 meter increments that go up to 1,200 meters and the muzzle velocity was about 853.4 meters per second. It has the British Lee-Enfield's rear locking lugs that makes it resistant to dirt, the American M1917's turned down bolt and the German Mauser's five round stripper cilp whch makes it an ugly, though reliable, roughly made, but immensely strong service rifle. It could also mount an épée bayonet onto its barrel. The MAS-36 was intended to replace Berthier and Lebel Model 1886 series of service rifles.
History[]
The MAS-36 was first adopted by the French Army in 1936 and remained in service until 1978. The MAS-36 was intended to replace older French rifles, but by World War II, the MAS-36 was only for frontline troops, while the reserve troops still used older rifles. During the occupation of France, the Germans made copies of MAS-36 under the designation Gewehr 242. The MAS-36 was also used by the French resistance during the German occupation of France. In the 1970s, however, it eventually became replaced by the FAMAS F-1.