MAS-36/CR39 Paratrooper Rifle
In 1939, the French military realising the importance of airborne troops began developing an adaptation to their new standard infantry rifle the MAS-36. Retaining the rifle’s receiver, French engineers came up with a design which shortened (even down to the length of the integral spike bayonet), lightened and streamlined the existing rifle and adding a new aluminium folding stock and removing any surfaces that would snag on kit that they could. The folding stock swings up against the rifle’s receiver with a recess allowing it to hug the rifles contours (see image two). The rifle was designated the CR39 it was designed for use with alpine and airborne troops who needed a short and easily portable rifle. With the stock folded the CR39 was just 62cm long while a full length MAS-36 was over 100cm long.
Another clever feature of the CR39 is the auto-winding leather strap that is wound inside the stock once the rifle is folded.
Some of the faults with the rifle stem for the very act of making the weapon more portable, The MAS-36 was already a very short, handy weapon and by shortening it further the effect of recoil increased. Additionally the single bolt hinge was susceptible to fatigue and if this became loose it made the rifle very difficult to use.
While the rifle’s initial development began before the beginning of WWII the weapon was not issued until after the war. The CR39 did however see extensive service during France’s post war colonial conflicts in both Algeria and during the First Indochina War. Above is a photograph of French-allied Vietnamese troops during the infamous Siege of Diem Bien Phu armed with the CR39. The CR39 was eventually somewhat replaced by the specially designed, compact MAT-49 sub-machine gun as the weapon of choice for paratroops, frontline infantry and support troops alike.