This Old Military Rifle

[V-Tach]

Mas 49 Rifle

After WWII the French needed a new service rifle. The French MAS 36 bolt action rifle like most other bolt action service rifles were being replaced with semi-automatic rifles, for obvious reasons. The rifle was adopted in 1949 and produced at the government owned MAS factory.

The first MAS 49 rifles were only produced in limited numbers around 20,600 rifles.

The shorter and light 49/56 variant was produced en masse at 275,240 rifles.

The MAS 49 was developed from a series of previous rifles. Its predecessors were the MAS 38/39, MAS 40 and MAS 44.

50,000 MAS 44 rifles had been ordered but only 6200 ever delivered. The 49/56 was the final variant and was the standard issue rifle until 1979 when the French issued the FAMAS rifle.

The 49/56 variant was introduced in 1957. It had been shortened, lightened, bayonet and grenade launching provisions. It has one of the oddest weirdest bayonet attachment, imho.


In service

1951-1979


Specifications

Weight 10 lbs. 6 oz. MAS 49

9 lbs. MAS 49/56

Length 43.35 inches MAS 49

40.2 inches MAS 49/56

Barrel Length

22.8 inches MAS 49

20.7 inches MAS 49/56

10 round detachable magazine. As seen in the photos it could be released easily by accident.


Calibers

7.5X54mm French

(Some Century Arms Imports were converted to .308)



Users:


Algeria

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Comoros

Congo

EOKA

Eritrean Liberation Front

France

Ivory Coast

Gabon

Lebanon

Madagascar

Mali

Mauritania

Monaco

Morocco

Niger

Rwanda

Senegal

Seychelles

Syria

Tunisia

North Vietnam (captured from the French)

Zimbabwe



Wars/Conflicts

First Indochina War

Algerian War

Suez Crisis

Cypress Emergency

1958 Lebanon Crisis

Eritrean War of Independence

Chadian Civil War

Shaba II

Lebanese Civil War

Syrian Civil War

Vietnam


Books

​

​

My 49/56 was bought several years ago in Corpus Christi from a friend who owned Kodiak Firearms. Mike has long since retired now and is no longer in business. Mike is a Vietnam Vet (grunt) who only carried the M14 (by choice) and never warmed up the M16. He thought the .556 too light for bush work.​

When I bought the rifle he had a small white flag hanging out the barrel…….great sense of humor…​

​

The Mag Release is Totally Exposed Making it Easy to Accidently Disengage while in Combat.

Note the Nylon charging handle

Safety On

Safety Off

 

[V-Tach]

BM59



Italian made battle rifle adopted in 1959 (just made the cut for this thread pre-1960)

A rework of the American made M1 Garand chambered in 7.62 NATO, modified to accept detachable magazines and selective fire.

The M1 Garand was a reliable rifle and the Italians adopted it into service after WWII. The late 50’s many countries were updating their small arms and Italy decided to upgrade the aging M1 Garand.

The BM59 sported a grenade launcher, bipod, muzzle brake/flash suppressor in addition to other minor modifications.

Early rifles were built with modified M1 Garand parts including the barrel and receiver.



In Service from 1959-Present (Italian Navy)

Variants

BM 59 MKI Wood Stock with semi-pistol grip

BM59 MK II Wood Stock with pistol grip

BM 58 MK III Heavier barrel, synthetic stock and was used as a SAW.



Users

Algeria

Argentina

Bahrain

Biafra

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Italy

Indonesia

Libya

Morocco

Nigeria

Somalia

Wars/Conflicts

Nigerian Civil War

Indonesian Invasion of East Timor

Lebanese Civil War

Falkland War

Lebanon Multinational Forces

Somali Civil War

Libyan Civil War



Specifications:



Weight 9.7 lbs.

Length 43.1 In.

Barrel Length 19.3 in.

Chambered in 7.62X51 NATO



Books

​

Resources
Wikipedia, Internet

My rifle was built by James River Armory with a BM59 parts kit and a JRA receiver. It has no bayonet lug, flash hider or grenade launcher. It is semi auto. Accuracy is acceptable ( < 3 in. at 100 yds), but it is no tack driver. I have 5 BM 59 mags and all work w/o fail. It has been a very reliable rifle.


​

 

[Fishin4guns]

I was hoping there would be more on this thread, glad to see a new post. I enjoy learning about some of the history on these old military rifles. You have quite a nice collection.

 

[V-Tach]

Thanks Charles, I'm hoping others will post theirs as well.......

 

[V-Tach]

CETME 58

(An abbreviated History)



Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales

(Center for Technical Studies of Special Materials) A Spanish government design and development establishment.



The CETME 58 roots run deep into German small arms design with Ludwig Vorgrimler and Wilhelm Stahle’s roller delayed blowback firearm action that was patented while employed at Mauser Werkes in Germany during WW II.

During the research and development of the action, bolt bounce was an inherent problem. The extreme velocities upon the bolt opening caused the bolt bounce. Interestingly the solution was solved by a German mathematician (Karl Maier). Although there were roller delayed rifles (STG 45) being used at the end of the war, R&D completion remained unfinished.



After WW II Mauser design engineers came under French control. In 1948 Vorgrimler was working on a French rifle based on the STG 45. Another German Theodor Loffler was also working on a rifle design for the French and they decided on the Loffler design.

In 1950 Vorgrimler went to work for CETME in Spain. There was already a German design team (Rheinmetall Arms) working on Modelo 1 and were 9 months ahead of Vorgrimler when he and his Mauser team started work on their Modelo 2.

The Spanish Government selected Model 2 for development in July 1952.

Modelo A

West Germans were also interested in the rifle and asked that a 7.62 mm version be developed. Due to a misunderstanding it was chambered in 7.62X51 CETME. Dimensionally the same as 7.62X51 NATO, but with a lighter projectile and a lower powder charge.

Modelo B

West Germans clarified that they actually wanted the rifle in 7.62 NATO. With the help of Heckler and Koch further development produced the CETME Modelo B. It was adopted by the Spanish Government in 1958 as the CETME 58. Production in Germany after licensing was procured was given to Rheinmetall and Heckler & Koch for production. H&K would go on to produce an entire line of weapons based on the CETME design. Original rifles had the rear sight mounted over the chamber area.



Modelo C

In 1964 the design underwent changes to reduce the weight and was adopted by the Spanish Army, Airforce and Navy.



Modelo E

Changes to make the gun even lighter by the use of synthetic stocks and aluminum components started production but the Model was scrapped due to reliability issues.



CETME L and LC

A CETME L chambered in .556 NATO was adopted in 1984. The LC was the same as the L with provisions for optics. It was replaced with the H&K G36 in 1999.



Service History

1957-1987



Specs

Weight: 9.9 lbs.

Length: 40 in.

Barrel Length: 17.7 in.



Calibers

7.62X51 CETME Modelo A only
7.62X51 NATO



Users:

Biafra

Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Dominican Republic

France

Equatorial Guinea

Lebanon

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Spain

West Germany (Trials only) they cancelled their order and adopted the FAL instead.



References: Wikipedia, Fandom, NRA Museum,



​

My rifle is a Model C built by Century Arms. I’ve had it about 15 years. It is has a cast stainless steel receiver and not a stamped steel one. It has been 100% reliable. Accuracy is what you would expect from a battle rifle. Very gratuitous photos of my CETME L included ……..

​

​

 

[Axxe55]

Thanks Charles, I'm hoping others will post theirs as well.......

Excellent thread.

 

[V-Tach]

Springfield Model 1892-1899

The Krag 30-40

(An abbreviated History)



While researching the M1892, the history of the use of the rifle in the Spanish American War and in particular the Philippines is quite noteworthy, interesting and detailed. I will include some links for articles that I found fascinating.



The M1892 was adopted to replace the M1873 Trapdoor. Firearms design especially in Europe made the M1873 single shot obsolete. In 1892 the U.S. evaluated (on Governors Island New York) rifles submitted from Lee, Krag-Jorgensen, Mannlicher, Mauser Schmidt Rubin and approximately 40 other deigns. A board of U.S. Officers chose the 5 shot Krag-Jorgensen. This was not without controversy however. Domestic arms designers and inventors (Russell and Livermore) filed suits against the U.S. Government. Krag-Jorgensen designed the rifle in 1886.



The Springfield Model 1892 became the first U.S. bolt action rifle utilizing smokeless powder. The 30-40 cartridge designation was a holdover from black powder designations as the cartridge contained 40 grains of smokeless powder. It is officially the .30 US Government. It utilized a 220 grain round nose bullet in a rimmed bottleneck cartridge. Later higher pressure cartridges were tested, but the receiver/bolts could not handle the higher pressures.

The service life of the Krag was somewhat short lived by most military rifle standards. It was phased out in 1907 in favor of the M1903.



In Service: 1892-1907

Approximately 500,000 were produced

Variants

M1892 Rifle

M1892 Carbine

M1896 Rifle

M1896 Carbine

M1898 Rifle

M1898 Carbine

M1899 Carbine

M1899 Constable Carbine (For the Philippines use)



Specifications: (Rifle)

Weight 8 lbs. 7 oz.

Length 48.875 in.

Barrel Length 30 in.



Wars/Conflicts

Spanish American War

Philippine American War

Boxer Rebellion

Mexican Revolution

WW1 (limited use)



Resources

Wikipedia, NRA American Rifleman, U.S. Krag-Jorgensen Rifle and Carbine by David Tong



Interesting reading

https://www.americanrifleman.org/co...en-america-s-first-bolt-action-service-rifle/

https://www.chuckhawks.com/krag_rifle.htm

Books
​

My rifle is an M1898 made in 1899.

 

[zackmars]

Lee Enfield No.5 mk1 the "Jungle carbine".

Designed in the mid 40's as a paratroopers rifle, the No.5 was pretty much a regular No.4 that was shortened and had a number of lightening cuts made to reduce weight even further. While this did make for a light and handy carbine, it also meant it has some hellacious recoil. As if that was not bad enough, the iconic muzzle device actually creates MORE felt recoil, as does the "rubber" buttpad that reduces the surface area that contacts your shoulder, creating even more recoil.


It came too late to see significant use in WW2, but made it in time to see some use in the following wars


Korean War

Malayan Emergency

Vietnam War

Bangladesh Liberation War

Bougainville Civil War

And probably any other conflicts involving territories held after WW2



Users

British Commonwealth

Indonesia


Despite being the last gasp of the .303 Lee's, the No4mk1/2 would outlast it in general service.

People will mention the "wandering zero", but I haven't been able to get a sure answer on what exactly "wandering zero" means, nor have I seen anything on my rifle that lends any credence to those theories. I mean groups will open up as the barrel heats up, but everything does that. Recoil is very punishing, and can also hurt a shooters group size.

This rifle was made by Fazakerly in December 1945

 

[V-Tach]

Nice rifle Zack.....one of a few rifles I sold and wish I hadn't...

It is also one of the most faked........bayonets for those have sky rocketed recently......

 

[V-Tach]

Springfield M1873

Trapdoor





The M1873 was the first standard issue breech loading rifle adopted by the U.S. Army. The M1873 was the 5th variation of the original Allin design. In its day, it was a technological leap from the percussion cap muzzle loading rifles.



The caliber was designated 45-70 (45 Government) with a 405 grain .45 diameter projectile and 70 grains of black powder propellant. Originally the cases were copper and had an internal primer (Benet). Copper cartridges had extraction issues and created green corrosion much quicker when in contact with leather. The green corrosion could effectively make extraction impossible without utilizing some type of instrument to dislodge the case. The carbines were not issued with cleaning rods, so the copper cases were later changed to brass. I have 5 original 45-70 copper cased cartridges made between January 1874 and March 1875 at the Frankford Arsenal.



The change to brass (1888) came after Custer’s disastrous campaign into the Black Hills. Some thought the carbines they were issued might have had extraction issues that caused Custer’s detachment to be annihilated. But investigation later proved it was superior numbers and firepower that doomed Custer.



Overall the rifle had a good reputation for reliability and accuracy.



In Service: 1873-1892

Countries: United States



Wars/Conflicts:

American Indian Wars

Spanish American War

Philippine American War



Variants: Calvary Carbine



Specifications:

Length: 52 inches (rifle)

Barrel Length: 33 inches (Rifle)

Weight: 9 lbs. (rifle)



Carbine

Length: 41.3 in.

Barrel Length: 22 in.

Weight: 7.3 lbs.



Resources:

Wikipedia, Army History.org, IMA


Books
​

My rifle was made in 1881

I used it to harvest a doe on a friend’s ranch. Still bringing home dinner 140 years later….


​

Original copper cased 45-70 rounds

The crimp at the bottom hold the internal primer. Notice there were no head stamps

 

[Axxe55]

Springfield M1873

Trapdoor





The M1873 was the first standard issue breech loading rifle adopted by the U.S. Army. The M1873 was the 5th variation of the original Allin design. In its day, it was a technological leap from the percussion cap muzzle loading rifles.



The caliber was designated 45-70 (45 Government) with a 405 grain .45 diameter projectile and 70 grains of black powder propellant. Originally the cases were copper and had an internal primer (Benet). Copper cartridges had extraction issues and created green corrosion much quicker when in contact with leather. The green corrosion could effectively make extraction impossible without utilizing some type of instrument to dislodge the case. The carbines were not issued with cleaning rods, so the copper cases were later changed to brass. I have 5 original 45-70 copper cased cartridges made between January 1874 and March 1875 at the Frankford Arsenal.



The change to brass (1888) came after Custer’s disastrous campaign into the Black Hills. Some thought the carbines they were issued might have had extraction issues that caused Custer’s detachment to be annihilated. But investigation later proved it was superior numbers and firepower that doomed Custer.



Overall the rifle had a good reputation for reliability and accuracy.



In Service: 1873-1892

Countries: United States



Wars/Conflicts:

American Indian Wars

Spanish American War

Philippine American War



Variants: Calvary Carbine



Specifications:

Length: 52 inches (rifle)

Barrel Length: 33 inches (Rifle)

Weight: 9 lbs. (rifle)



Carbine

Length: 41.3 in.

Barrel Length: 22 in.

Weight: 7.3 lbs.



Resources:

Wikipedia, Army History.org, IMA


Books
​

My rifle was made in 1881

I used it to harvest a doe on a friend’s ranch. Still bringing home dinner 140 years later….


​

Original copper cased 45-70 rounds

The crimp at the bottom hold the internal primer. Notice there were no head stamps

One of our members, @Maverick44 IIRC has the Springfield 1870 in 50-70 that I had the opportunity to shoot a few times. Pretty interesting rifle.

 

[V-Tach]

Siamese Mauser

Type 46/66



Facing an increased threat of colonial expansionism by Britain and France, the King of Siam (Thailand) King Rama V wanted to produce their own rifles around 1903. Unable to do so he ultimately contracted with the Japanese Koishikawa arsenal in Japan to manufacture their Type 46 rifle which is a copy of Germany’s 98K.



The Type 46 rifle was chambered for the Type 45 cartridge 8 X 50mm rimmed cartridge using a round nose projectile. In 1923 they upgraded their ammunition to a spitzer bullet (8 X 52R). The Type 46 became the Type 46/66 after the modifications. They shaved off some of the rear sight which can be seen in the pics. The cartridge is now obsolete.

The rifle major components were forged and made in Japan and assembled in Siam with Japanese guidance.



My rifle was converted and imported. The stenciled serial number on the left side was done because ATF would not recognize the symbols used in the serial number. It is interesting that many of these rifles were re-barreled/ chambered for 45-70 Govt. after being imported. The bolt face was designed for a rimmed cartridge.



The rifles were made between 1903 and 1908 and about 400,00 were produced.

There is at least one other member here that has one...


In Service

1903-1950

Users: Siam/Thailand

Wars: WWI and WWII

Calibers 8 X 50R Siamese and 8 X 52R Siamese

Resources: Wikipedia, Forgotten Weapons




​

Not the dust cover over the action in the closed position

Interesting butt plate access

Front sight shaved for conversion to the new caliber

The Serial Number.. BATF couldn't read it either..

Dust cover in the open position

Large bolt face for rimmed cartridge

The stenciled serial number for importation.

 

[LEP]

Model 1892 (build date 1894) upgraded to 1896 specs.

 

[V-Tach]

Arisaka



Type 38



The Type 38 was adopted by Japan in 1905 during the 38th year of the Meiji period.

It was chambered in the 6.5 X 50 mm Arisaka. The buttstock is two pieces dovetailed and glued together. Today they are frequently encountered with a gap between the pieces due to warpage, shrinkage and age. Two pieces were used to conserve wood and larger blanks were in short supply.

The symbol of the Japanese Emperor is a chrysanthemum with 16 petals. This was stamped on the receiver of all Type 38 rifles. Many of the chrysanthemums were ground off either completely or partially after WWII. Reportedly McArthur agreed to this as a face saving gesture for the Emperor. An intact chrysanthemum is prized by collectors.



My rifle was made at the Koishikawa Arsenal (Tokyo). I has the chrysanthemum intact, the dust cover and the original sling. Most probably made prior to WW1. The 6.5 Arisaka round was a little anemic and eventually the Type 99 Arisaka in 7.7 X 58 mm was adopted in 1939. Both rifles served throughout WWII.

Approximately 3, 579,000 were produced from 1905 through the end of WWII.

The rifle was also made in a carbine length, Type 38 carbine.



Specifications:

(Rifle)

Weight: 9 lbs. 4 oz.

Length: 50.2 inches

Barrel Length: 31.4 in.



Wars/Conflicts

WWI

Russian Civil War

Second Sino-Japanese War

WWII

Chinese Civil War

Indonesian National Revolution

Malayan Emergency

Korea

First Indochina War

Vietnam



Resources: http://www.castle-thunder.com/model.htm, Wikipedia, https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

Books

​

 

[V-Tach]

kyū guntō captured during WWII probably belonged to a 1st LT or 2nd LT sword by the tassels that were red and blue originally.

Arrow Decoration over Ray skin

Maintains a very sharp edge

Type 94 Nambu....some say the most dangerous gun ever made.....

Two Hinomaru (good luck flags) and one Japanese National flag

Hamon is clear and present The a saya is bamboo covered with leather

First Hinomaru

Second Hinomaru

Captured Japanese National Flag 4ft X 6Ft

A corner of the national flag. It had been flown before capture as evidenced by the wear.

 

[V-Tach]

M1871 Beaumont



Adopted in 1871, it was the main service rifle (and its variants) from 1871 to 1895. It was never used in a war or major conflict. It was one of the first metallic cartridge rifles adopted by any military. It is a black powder cartridge and was originally 11.3X50mmR and later 11X52mmR.

Originally the M1871 was a single shot rifle. In 1888 they were modified to magazine fed utilizing the Vitali (Italian) 4 round magazine and the model changed to the M1871/88. My rifle was one of about 60,000 rifles converted. By the time this happened, the design was already obsolete. It was taken out of service in 1895.

Specifications:

Weight: 9.72 lbs.

Length: 52 inches

Barrel Length 32 inches



In Service: 1871-1895

Country: Netherlands

Wars: None

Books: None

Resources:

Wikipedia, IMA, Forgotten Weapons





I have dies and brass and shoot it. My rifle is chambered in 11X52R. The original cleaning rod is missing, otherwise it is complete and matching. Bayonets are not easily found, nor inexpensive.




​

 

[FNORD]

kyū guntō captured during WWII probably belonged to a 1st LT or 2nd LT sword by the tassels that were red and blue originally.

Arrow Decoration over Ray skin

Maintains a very sharp edge

Type 94 Nambu....some say the most dangerous gun ever made.....

Two Hinomaru (good luck flags) and one Japanese National flag

Hamon is clear and present The a saya is bamboo covered with leather

First Hinomaru

Second Hinomaru

Captured Japanese National Flag 4ft X 6Ft

A corner of the national flag. It had been flown before capture as evidenced by the wear.

I attempted to pare this down but lack the acumen.

Synchronistically to me, twelve hours ago and for the first time in years, I was looking at my father’s hinomaru and another flag that he inherited from the individuals that provided the opportunities for two of his Purple Hearts. One was an officer who employed his Nambu to its characteristic insufficiency. He relieved both of more than their flags. He did allow them their honor however.

The hinomaru is a silk one and the same In design as your second one save the dimensions. The other, also silk, is yet to be identified.

 

[V-Tach]

Yes, both of mine are silk.....and although my wife is half Japanese (Army Brat) who was born in Japan during the occupation and can speak some of the language, cannot read it.....

 

[candcallen]

I bought this O3A3 because it was bubba’d up so badly. I traded the original military stock for this one. The guy loved the old stock so much he even sent me $200.00 back.

It took a while to find the right smith to do the work. One guy had it for a year and never touched it. View attachment 304602 View attachment 304603

Every time I see your ammo room I hate you more.

I have a draw and small safe. You got the promise land.

I hate being a crippled crotchety bastard.

 

[baboon]

Every time I see your ammo room I hate you more.

I have a draw and small safe. You got the promise land.

I hate being a crippled crotchety bastard.

Different strokes for different folks. I know guys that make me look like a piker. Then there are the guys you hear about.

I really need the right display cases for my knife collection. If anyone knows of an old oak & glass or walnut & glass display case in 100 miles of here let me know.