1078

SELDOM ENCOUNTERED & EXTRAORDINARILY SCARCE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
SELDOM ENCOUNTERED & EXTRAORDINARILY SCARCE
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Aug 05 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
PAVN CONVERSION FRENCH MAT-49 M SUBMACHINE GUN. Cal. 30 (7.62x25mm Tokarev). S# C36294. Bbl. 8 3/4". Following the conclusion of World War II, the French had acquired a notable variety of small arms from both Allied and Axis countries, including Stens, Thompsons, M3 "Grease Guns", and Thompson submachine guns. While at the time, utilizing these small arms proved to be the most economical option, logistical issues in regards to ammunition and spare/replacement parts soon became apparent. This, paired with a strong sense in rebuilding national pride, resulted in the French turning to domestic arsenals M.A.C. (Manufacture d'Armes de Chatellerault), M.A.S. (Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne), M.A.T. (Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle), and Hotchkiss for a natively designed and produced replacement. Each of the designs underwent extensive testing and evaluation, where in 1949, Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle's Modele 48 was ultimately selected for French military service, and designated as the "Pistolet Mitrailleur de Modele 1949" or "MAT-49". It's design, while inherently French, shows many pertinent influences from the aforementioned submachine guns that were currently in French hands, including a stamped steel construction, collapsible wire stock, and a simple blowback design. The MAT-49 was produced by M.A.T. until the 1960s, where production then switched to M.A.S. until 1973. It would see extensive use with the French military for three decades, where it saw action during the First Indochina War, Algerian War, and Suez Crisis, before being slowly phased out of French military service beginning in 1979 due to the adoption of the FAMAS. During and after the French's involvement in the First Indochina War (Vietnam War), large numbers of MAT-49s were captured by Viet Minh / PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) forces, where many were converted to fire the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge (which was readily supplied by the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China), and designated as the "MAT-49 M". This example, mfg. by MAT, is marked "MANUFACTURE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE TULLE" above "MODELE 1949_No C36294" on the top of receiver. The lower assembly is stamped "K" on the top flat of the receiver cap, indicating this example was captured and converted by PAVN forces to fire 7.62x25mm Tokarev ammunition. Metal components exhibit a professionally reapplied phosphate finish overall, save for on the bolt assembly, which remains in-the-white, and the ejection port dust cover, which exhibits a black enamel type finish. Lower is mounted with 2-piece checkered mottled brown pressed resin grips, the left panel featuring a thumb rest. Rear grip strap features a mottled brown pressed resin grip safety. Additionally, the lower features the MAT-49's iconic folding finger grooved mag. well / foregrip assembly, as well as a collapsible wire buttstock. Hooded post front sight (rear face painted red), with perforated steel handguard and 2-position flip-up aperture rear sight graduated at "100" and "200". Lower assembly matches the receiver via "36294", which was applied below a struck out "A20680" on the rear flat of the receiver cap. This example is fitted with a period unmarked brown leather sling, retained via a peened hook on the front sight base and a steel snap ring on the stock. MAGS: x1 35-rd. PAVN conversion mag. stamped "K" on either side towards the floorplate. CONDITION: metal components retain the vast majority of their professionally reapplied phosphate finish, exhibiting some light wear and thinning on the left side of the receiver that is showing through to silvering from cycling of the action, some light superficial handling marks, as well as scattered spots and patches of pitting (ranging from light to moderate) that is present beneath the finish. Bore is relatively bright, exhibiting consistent mild to moderate pitting (as to be expected from hard usage in a tropical environment), while retaining trace rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics. Pressed resin grips (and grip safety) show some smoothing, but otherwise remain sound. Sling remains malleable, showing some spots and patches of discoloration, but otherwise remains sound. 77 years after its initial adoption, the MAT-49 continues to see use around the globe. Despite its widespread usage for nearly eight decades, examples of a standard MAT-49 submachine gun are seldom seen in the U.S., with the MAT-49 M variant reasonably being surmised to be encountered even less so. This example presents a virtually unheard of opportunity for one to acquire a PAVN conversion MAT-49 M machine gun. PROVENANCE: Military Museum Collection of Shooters Outpost, Hooksett NH. FULLY TRANSFERABLE NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT SMG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. (03-2102/MLW). CURIO. CLASS III. $50,000-80,000.