French Weapons-Indochina War.

[Redcoat]

Can anyone tell me what rifle these men are using and what pistol their CO is using i plan on making a replica one ,so any help would be much appreciated.



Thanks.

[Pete Zaria]

During and shortly after WW2, I believe the common French rifles were the Carbine 1892 M16 (modifié 1916), MAS Mle 36s, Mousqueton Berthier Mle 1892 M16, Mousqueton Lebel Mle1886/93 R35, and a few assorted others.

Searching for some of these in Google Images should turn up some pics that you could compare to the clip.

Here's a site with some info about French military rifles: http://www.gunsworld.com/frenchguns_home_us.html .

As to the pistol, it looks semi auto... It could be a Beretta 92FS. Those were common military issue then.

Hope that helps.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[Redcoat]

that helps alot thanks :toothy10:

[FreakyShotGlass]

The pistol will either be a Mle. 1935 or a Mle. 1950. The rifles used by the French are probably MAS 36's.

[Redcoat]

Thanks im starting to draw plans right now for a pneumatic MAS-36.

Also could i use pvc as the rifle furniture?

Thanks.

Edit- wait maybe those rifles in the clip are MAS-49's.
http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl10-e.htm

[FreakyShotGlass]

Doesn't look like it, the stock comes to far forward on the barrel in the video for it to be MAS-49's.

EDIT- They could be MAS 49's, I was looking at the MAS 49/56. However depending on when in the war this scene is set as the war started in 1946, before the MAS 49 had been developed. If the scene is set after this date then it is likely that there were a mix of weapons in the squad.

[Redcoat]

yeh you're right in the video they cock the rifle after every shot.I guess that would be a disadvantage to the european powers as lots of them used bolt action rifles whereas their enemies were using russian semi auto weapons this is also a problem that faced the brits in the suez crisis.

but i'll make a MAS-49 because they were used more in the Indochina War

Edit-is it possible to make the rifle furniture out of PVC?

[FreakyShotGlass]

You can make furniture out of PVC but wood is probably a better option, it will look more realistic and better.

[Redcoat]

yeah.I just think it would be hard making the furniture out of wood because the barrel has to go through it.

And im making a MAS-36 now(i kept changing ideas but im solid now) because a bolt action will be easier.

But if you could lend me some tips on how to make the furniture it would be much appreciated.

[FreakyShotGlass]

Furniture is easy to make, you will need:
-Some nice wood
-A jigsaw
-Lots of sandpaper, coarse to smooth
-A rasp or auto-plane
Trace a template onto your wood and then cut it out with the jigsaw, then using the rasp and sandpaper create the contours. To make the barrel go through the stock just make the top bit a different piece of wood.

[Redcoat]

Oh i see.and put a trench in the top one so the barrel fits into it.

Thanks so much im drawing up plans now.

BTW, you entered a sick gun into the competition i hope you win something.
I couldnt finish my gun in time.

[FreakyShotGlass]

Thanks man. You can use a chisel or router to make the channel for the barrel. Good luck.

[Redcoat]

thanks.Well that pretty well finishes this thread.Thanks everyone.