French MAS MLE 1949 7.5×54 Grenade Launcher Sight Semi-Auto Rifle C&R

Sold For: $1,325

LSB#: 200626DW08

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

Model: MLE 1949

Serial Number: F35876

Year of Manufacture: Approximately 1949 to 1956

Caliber: 7.5x54mm (7.5 French)

Action Type: Semi-Automatic with Detachable Magazine. The front of the bolt body has an integral stripper clip guide for loading the magazine while inserted.

Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads “CAI ST. A. VT. / 7.5 FRANCE”. The left side of the receiver is marked “MAS MLE 1949 / CAL 7,5” and with the serial number “F 35876”. The left side of the butt, the belly of the stock, and the bottom of the trigger guard (no letter prefix) are each marked with the serial number. The base of the bayonet is marked “44”. The right side of the buttstock is marked with a partial circular cartouche that contains “MA / 1953”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 23 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall post set between 2 protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture attached to a sliding escalator. A screw on the right rear allows for adjustment for windage. It is marked from “2-12”. The left side of the receiver has a scope rail machined into it.
The grenade launcher sight is attached to the left side of the nosecap/sight assembly. The grenade sight is pushed (rotated) up until it clicks into place; there is no lock. The grenade launcher has been removed. The oversized knurled screw at the front of the grenade launcher sight is for adjusting the missing grenade launcher.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, metal nosecap with stacking loop & hole for the included bayonet, barrel band with sling ring, sling bar, sling well, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes, scratches, and discoloration from oxidation. The left side of the butt shows several small surface holes. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several of these marks have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 12 ¾ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rates in about Good to Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The barrel has been backbored to about ¼ of an inch from from the muzzle.The grooves are grey and the rifling is deep. There is erosion in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The barrel shows scrapes & thinning where the grenade launcher used to be. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and thinning on the leading edges of the metal. An area on the right side of the receiver has been treated with cold blue and shows discoloration around the magazine catch. The bolt shows some thinning from cycling as well as areas of discoloration. The metal shows other handling marks. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good 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.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle has a spiked bayonet stored backwards under the barrel. It shows scrapes and a few scratches. It is in about Very Good Plus overall condition. The rifle comes with a 10-round magazine. It shows scrapes, small scratches, and discoloration. It is in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: This French MAS MLE 1949 is a scarce French Military Rifle as only around 20,000 were made. This one looks good and has a very good bore that can still put a ton of lead down range. The rifle comes with a spiked bayonet and a 10 round magazine attached. The MAS 1949 was originally made with a grenade launcher. The grenade launcher has been removed from this one but the grenade launcher sight is still in place.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable? (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R rifle can be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.