POTD: Folding Stocks Are Nothing New – MAS 36 CR39
Sam.S 05.06.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The MAS 36 CR39 was a specialized variant developed for French paratroopers and alpine troops beginning in 1937. It featured a shortened 17.7″ barrel and an ingenious folding aluminum stock that allowed the rifle to collapse to just 24.5″ overall length for air drops and increased mobility. A unique spring-loaded sling design coiled the web sling neatly inside the hollow stock when folded. Though fragile, this innovative feature complemented the CR39’s compact nature. Only a small number around 34,000 were produced from 1939 to 1960 before being replaced by the modern FAMAS bullpup. This particular example manufactured in the early 1950s remains in superb original condition. It retains all correct numbered parts including the aluminum folding stock, shortened barrel, sling assembly, and 15″ fluted bayonet.
“This is a very rare limited production French MAS 36, (CR 39 variant) folding stock paratrooper rifle. The design was produced in the early 1950 and was termed as the model “CR 39”, and was used for only a very short time before being replaced by the FAMAS rifle. These were produced on a very short, limited basis and used a factory fitted, hollow, aluminum folding buttstock that was intended for use by French paratroopers and the French Foreign Legion. The rifle also features a slightly shorter barrel to make the rifle even more compact. This rifle is marked on the left side of the receiver, “MAS Mle 1936 C.R. 39” over the serial number “F30806”. “
Lot 1616: MAS 1936 Rifle 7.5x54mm – Rare French Mas 36 Folding Stock Bolt Action Paratrooper Rifle. (n.d.-n). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/73/1616/mas-1936-rifle-75x54mm.
