French MAS 1949-56 M49/56 7.5×54 Semi-Auto Rifle Bayonet Accessories C&R

SOLD FOR: $1451

LSB#: 210321GK06

Make: Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France

Model: MLE 1949-56 (M49/56). The grenade launcher has been removed. The grenade launcher sight is still in place.

Serial Number: G57767

Year of Manufacture: 1956 to 1963

Caliber: 7.5 French (7.5x54mm)

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The import mark is in small text along the scope base rail on the left side of the receiver. It reads “C.A.I. GEORGIA VT / MADE IN FRANCE”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number, “MAS MLE 1949-56 / CAL. 7,5”, “P72 in a box” and “P85 in a box” (signifying that the rifle was re-asrenaled in 1972 and again in 1985). The rear of the top cover is marked with the serial number. The right side of the front sight base is marked “FC”. The barrel is marked “056601” and “crown / AR”. The front of the barrel is marked from “9-19”. This was for the grenade launcher that has been removed. The top of the bolt carrier is marked “BA / D”. The right side of the bot is marked “G.22359” in electric pencil. The extractor is marked “CC”. The interior of the receiver is marked “63” ahead of the hammer. The rear of the recoil pad is marked “MAS / 1962 / 1”.
The 3 magazines are unmarked. The top of the M1956 bayonet crosspiece is marked “MAS / 71”. The top rear of the scabbard is marked “MAS / 69”. The front night sight blade is marked “T” and “30-  2-70”. The rear night sight blade is marked “32-  2-70”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 19 ¾ Inches.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post set between 2 protective ears. The base of the post is marked “1 2 3 4” on the top. It can be rotated when the retaining pin is pushed down. The rear sight is a sliding aperture marked from “2-12”. A screw on the right side of the aperture housing can be turned to adjust the aperture for windage. The left side of the receiver has an integral scope base machined into it. The underside of the flip up grenade launcher sight is marked “100 / 75 / 50 / 120 A.P”.
Night sights are included; see the “Box, Paperwork & Accessories” section below.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The three piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, barrel band with sling ring, sling well with sling bar and a metal buttplate. The refinished buttplate has scratches, small dents and surface erosion showing through the finish. It also shows a few scrapes. The wood shows scrapes & scratches that have been oiled over. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 12 ? inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate and 13 ? inches from the front of the trigger to the rear of the recoil pad. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is bright; semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is deep. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has oxidation showing through the new finish. The area below the magazine catch shows light thinning. The metal shows scuffs, scrapes & light scratches. The screw heads show use. Most of the markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
When the gas cut-off is raised, it blocks the gas tube, making the action single-shot only. This was installed for use with the now missing grenade launcher. There are stripper clip slots milled into the front of the bolt for reloading the magazine without removing it. The left side of the receiver has a thumb cutout for loading stripper clips. The bayonet will not mount the rifle without the grenade launcher in place.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with the correct Model 1958 Bayonet & Belt Scabbard. The bayonet will not mount the rifle without the grenade launcher in place. The bayonet blade shows scrapes & thin scratches. The grip shows a notch on the left. The bayonet is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The scabbard shows scrapes & small scratches. The leather shows surface creases. The metal belt clip shows oxidation & scrapes. The scabbard is in about Very Good Plus condition. For more info see worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/France/france_2.html.
The rifle also comes with 3 magazines, a recoil pad, night sights and a bag of unissued accessories.
The 3 magazines show scuffs, scrapes & small scratches. They are in about Very Good Plus condition. The recoil pad shows discoloration & scrapes. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
The 49/56 night sight has rechargeable inserts at the front & rear. The inserts glow when light is applied directly but dim quickly in the dark. The night sight comes in a green canvas pouch. The sights show scuffs and light scrapes. The pouch shows soiling, discoloration and a few small spots of fraying. Overall the night sight and pouch are in about Very Good condition. The night sights will not mount the rifle without the grenade launcher in place.
The sealed bag of unissued accessories contains a leather sling, plastic oil bottle, cleaning gear, small cleaning tools and a magazine pouch. These appear to be in about Excellent condition. We did not open the sealed bag.

Our Assessment: This French MLE 1949-56 (M49/56) was made by Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS) between 1958 and 1960. The rifle originally had a grenade launching attachment. The grenade launcher has been removed but the grenade launcher sight is still in place. The rifle was refinished when it was Arsenal Rebuilt so it looks good and still has a strong bore. The rifle comes with a Model 1958 Bayonet & Belt Scabbard, 3 magazines, recoil pad, cleaning tools, leather belt and a mag pouch.