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Posted: 8/13/2012 7:45:43 PM EDT
| My Dad passed away last week and today my Mom asked me if I'd like to start taking some of the guns. Most of them are hunting guns but buried in the back of one of the safes was a MAS mle 1936. It is missing the rear sights and the trigger is sticking. The bolt was full of cosmoline. I cleaned it all up but now I'm not sure what kind of rear sight to get. Numrich lists about 20 of them. Does anyone have any idea which would be appropriate? Also, is it unusual for there to not be a serial number? I would assume the gun was purchased in the 1950's or 1960's. Other than a little water damage on the buttstock this thing looks almost new. ETA photos. |
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The windage was set on these rifles by the rear sight, so knowing which one you need, beforehand, is pretty much impossible. I would have to look up the coding system for how they were set up. Perhaps someone else will chime in who knows off the top of their head. Otherwise, check out the French Firearms Forum at Gunboards and you will likely find it there.
The rifles without serial numbers were supposedly made during the German occupation, from what I've read and are far less common. What type of finish does it have? Is it parkerized, or more like a black paint? Are you sure there are no serials anywhere and could you post pics? (I see you posted them while I was typing. That looks to be the original finish. Also, the serial number would normally be under the "Mle 1936", or behing it, just forward of the buttstock, in a vertical fashion on the later ones.) 
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An 'N' marked sight is centered. 'D' marked sights will move your group to the droite (right). 'G' marked sights will move your group to the gauche (left). The # after the D/G deisgnation indicates a change in the elevation of the point of impact. As far as I know, the only way to check which sight you need is to buy and N marked sight and shoot the rifle. You never know, you might luck out and only have to buy the one.
It looks like the rifle has the original style front sling swivel/barrel band. Any close up pics of the front sight/stacking lug? The stock looks like it was replaced at the arsenal or refinished at some point. The Mas36 relies heavily on the fit of the stock and handguard for accuracy. If the stock is super tight I would guess it was an arsenal job. If you ever remove the stock, there will be a date stamped on the barrel. This will give you a rough indication of when the gun was manufactured (if it has the original barrel of course). |
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Quoted:
An 'N' marked sight is centered. 'D' marked sights will move your group to the droite (right). 'G' marked sights will move your group to the gauche (left). The # after the D/G deisgnation indicates a change in the elevation of the point of impact. As far as I know, the only way to check which sight you need is to buy and N marked sight and shoot the rifle. You never know, you might luck out and only have to buy the one. It looks like the rifle has the original style front sling swivel/barrel band. Any close up pics of the front sight/stacking lug? The stock looks like it was replaced at the arsenal or refinished at some point. The Mas36 relies heavily on the fit of the stock and handguard for accuracy. If the stock is super tight I would guess it was an arsenal job. If you ever remove the stock, there will be a date stamped on the barrel. This will give you a rough indication of when the gun was manufactured (if it has the original barrel of course). Thank you for the information on the sights. I'll order an "n" marked one and see where that puts me on paper. Here are a couple of pictures of the front sight and stacking lug.  
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Far from an expert, but I believe that is the original finish. IIRC, they were phosphate re-finished when they went back to the arsenal. Either way, good looking stick, supposed to be great shooters  The post-war rifles were all parkerized. Pre-war and war time were blued. I'm at work, so I can't see the pictures, unfortunately. |
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That is a pre-war type/configuration MAS 36, does the recvr have a serial or did you blur it ? If it doesn't have serial it is most likely a occupation or just after war put together. It could be a WW2 GI bring back.
The rear sight will need the early style leaf with elevation detents, leaf spring. pin and correct slide. Post war stuff won't work. |
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Is there a letter prefix to the serial number on the underside of the bolt handle, and is there a serial number on the buttstock? I think the prefix is a "C" but it isn't very clear. It's almost like they got just the top of the stamp. Also there isn't a serial number on the buttstock. |
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Check Surplus Rifle, a lot of info on prefix and serial numbers.
Could be a G prefix, that's a Pre Armistice rifle, 1937/1938. This is a post war rifle, unissued, Beech wood, park finish. 
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This page is in French, but it has a lot of pictures of the different models and sight configurations.
http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/FR%20MAS%2036.html Also, I haven't tried it, but these guys make a scope mount for it that mounts in place of the rear sight. http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html# 
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