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1961 Vintage French Military MAS Mle. 1949-56 Semi-Auto Battle Rifle in 7.5 French w/ Sling ** All-Original & Clean MAS 49/56 ** SOLD Guns International #: 101652489 Seller's Inventory #: CM21-1147 Category: Military Rifles - Non-US - Military Arms Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15 State: Kentucky Zip: 40503 Country: United States Phone: (859) 276-1419 Fax: (859) 278-0838 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 179 Total Number of Listings: 14860 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check Description: This is a very handsome and clean all-original French Military MAS 49/56 rifle built in 1961 and complete with the original French Military sling and slip-on rubber recoil pad.  This MAS 49/56 was imported by C.A.I. but was NOT converted from the original 7.5 French chambering, remaining exactly how it left the French arsenal.  Many collectors and historians agree that the French Military MAS 49/56 was one of the best French battle rifle designs they have ever had.  The semi-automatic gas-operated MAS 49/56 battle rifle was introduced in 1956 as the pinnacle model variation of the MAS 49, which had already undergone two model improvements from the MAS 40 to the MAS 44 before becoming the MAS 49 in 1949. Each time the rifle was improved/updated and re-named the French used feedback from their troops and engineers to make the rifle more functional and reliable on the battlefield.  This was no different with the MAS 49/56, as French troops had just withdrawn from Indochina in 1954.  It was with the lessons learned there that the MAS 49/56 was born.  The close fighting in the thick jungle environment in Indochina quickly showed that having longer rifles put the French at a big disadvantage.  The MAS 49/56 was designed to be both lighter and shorter than the MAS 49 for better maneuverability and easier packing, but still incorporated more features.  The MAS 49/56 had a 20.7" inch barrel instead of 22.8" inches, and featured a more compact stock set that did not extend 3/4 to the muzzle.  The barrel featured an integral mount for a blade bayonet instead of the somewhat fragile spike-type used before.  It also had a gas cut-off system built into the newly-designed integral grenade launching attachments.  This would allow every French troop to fire rifle grenades with no extra equipment needed.  The MAS 49/56 retained all of the features that made the MAS 49 a success, including using the same exact 10-round detachable box magazine, the excellent well-protected iron battle sights, and the integral scope mount on the left side of the receiver.  The MAS 49/56 proved to be a great success, doing everything that the MAS 49 was able to do and more.  The MAS 49/56 remained in service for an exceptionally long time due to it's excellent design, not being replaced until 1979 when the select-fire FAMAS in 5.56 NATO was adopted.  Unlike most of the 49/56 rifles you see on the market this example only went thru one French Arsenal rework in February of 1977, at which point any parts that were worn were replaced including the stock set, and the gun was given a fresh coating of gray phosphate.  This French Arsenal "rework" can be identified by the boxed "P77" stamp on the left side of the receiver and the date "2/77" stamped on the upper rear of the top bolt cover behind the rear sight.  As you can see from the pictures, this MAS 49/56 is a very clean looking rifle and shows very little finish wear on any of the exposed surfaces.  Everything on this rifle is very uniform in color and in degree of wear making it very attractive.  The gray military phosphate coating rates 90% plus, showing only some very minor handling marks and small spots of thinning finish, mainly on the high-edges.  All of the factory markings and arsenal stampings are crisp and legible, and all of the screws and fasteners in the action, gas system, grenade system, and stock set are intact and in great shape.  All of the visible serial-numbered parts are matching, however the it appears the lower bolt assembly was replaced during the French arsenal rebuild and is not numbers-matching.  The bore in this 49/56 is in excellent condition overall, showing strong and sharp rifling throughout the barrel with only a little frosting in spots.  The factory stock set on this MAS is in excellent condition as well, with the forearm, top cover, and buttstock all free from any cracks, chips, repairs, or major dings/damage.  All three pieces of wood are a perfect match to each other in every way, quite rare when you look at many of these rifles.  The action on this MAS is smooth and slick, and appears to be in perfect working order.  When in battery the bolt locks up to the barrel perfectly with no slop.  All of the controls on this 49/56 are also in perfect working order, from the grenade launching equipment to the safety to the adjustable rear sight.  This MAS 49/56 comes complete with one original factory 10-round box magazine in perfect working order, the proper original French Military leather sling, and even the original factory slip-on rubber recoil pad (designed originally for reducing felt-recoil when launching grenades).  If you have been looking for an exceptionally clean and handsome MAS 49/56 for your collection in the original 7.5 French chambering, here is your chance to get one of the better examples we have had in years.          SOLD Curio/Relic: Yes Rifle Caliber: 7.5x57mm MAS Manufacturer: Manufacture d/armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS) Model: Mle. 1949-56 or 49/56 Serial Number: H00201 Barrel Length: 20.7" Inches Condition: Excellent Metal Condition: Excellent Wood Condition: Excellent Bore Condition: Excellent Action: Semi-Auto Gas Operated Stock: Two-Piece Hardwood Finish: Phosphate / Parkerized Sights: Factory Adjustable Iron Sights + Flip-Up Grenade Sights Manufacture Date: 1961 Extras: Original French Military Sling, Rubber Recoil Pad, and 10-Round Box Magazine