From the January 2000 issue, pages 11 and 12.

By John Wilshire

I recently had an opportunity to examine a French alpine carbine. Yes, an alpine carbine, not a paratrooper!

Since these weapons are so rare in US collections, I decided to pay for the rifle and have it shipped so that I could look it over first-hand. I have several French weapons, but am not an expert in this area of collecting. Luckily, I am acquainted with people who do have expertise. So, at this point, I guess I can say I know about as much as is known about this weapon, thanks to others.

The French Alpine carbine; often mistakenly referred to as the "French paratrooper carbine," began life as a MAS Model 1936 rifle, chambered for the 7.5 x 54 French service cartridge. It was cut down to a barrel length of 17.7 inches and fitted with a bayonet which has its sheath made to fit under the rifle barrel thus self-containing the bayonet. The bayonet, similar to the 1936 model, was shortened to 15 inches. The forestock was also modified.

The serial number of this carbine is Q36163 and the stock number is F28773. Here, for your information, is where the "smelling of the rat" begins.

All known carbines in US collections begin with an "F" prefix in the serial number. This carbine begins with the letter "Q". The "F" stock prefix also indicates this. All known specimens are also clearly marked as follows: MAS MLE. 1936-CR39. This particular carbine did not have the -CR39 on the left side of the frame. Looking further, the barrel on the MAS 1936's are dated under the forearm wood on the under side of the chamber. Although it is not 100% fact, all barrels on the CR39 should be dated between 1945 and 1956.

Adopted as a light carbine for French alpine troops, the CR39 was not well received. Try putting a carbine with a 17.7 inch barrel less than 8 lbs. in weight, with a sub-zero aluminum stock next to your check and you will soon know why. Then pull the trigger! You will also not be delighted with the aluminum stampings left on your arm. This weapon can only be appreciated when firing a French loaded cartridge, which is potent, at least as potent as a 308 and close to, but not quite, a 30-06.

Another unique feature of the CR39 is the folding aluminum stock which is released to fold by a small lever on the left side of the stock. In the area of this lever is where the stock serial number can be found. The hollow aluminum stock contains a spring-loaded retractor to roll up a leather 1" wide sling. The sling is extremely thin. It works similar to a window shade. The French were not excellent record keepers, but were thorough in identifying their products with identification stamps. The French, however, were not particular with serial numbers, so some weapons disassembled may not be put back together with the same parts. So the mismatched stock is NOT an indication of a "faked" CR39. It is not known, but the French may have made very early CR39's without marking on the receiver as such. This too is probably unlikely.

One of the key identifying characteristics of the CR39 is the latch mechanism for folding the stock. If you have a MAS 1936, remove the bolt and look down from the top of the rifle where the receiver meets the stock. There is a semi-circular metal tab that protrudes into the stock. On the CR39 this part of the receiver should be square. On this carbine it is not. The carbines are so rare in US collections that they are being made in small numbers, not so much as for fakery, but to fill a representative gap in a French collection.

The main reasons for their rarity is four-fold. 1. They were made in relatively small numbers. 2. They were used in harsh climates like Africa and Viet Nam, thus they were simply used up. 3. They have never been released by the French government and reports say they are still used by the French Air Force as survival weapons. 4. What few that have come into the US to places like SARCO have been cut in half.

Approximately ten years ago SARCO sold CR39 kits in which the CR39 receivers had been cut in half. Some receivers were skillfully rewelded and restored with the CR39 stamps on the original receiver. Some guns such as Q36163 were put together on MLE 1936 receivers using the SARCO parts kits.

There appears to have been few articles on the CR39 so that knowledge is very limited. It is known that some were surrendered at Dien Bien Phu. Also it is known that some may have been used by paratroopers although not designed for them. It is known that they are rare and fairly expensive. Knowledge is very limited on any French firearm that is still in service. Apparently the French armorers are sworn to secrecy about current weapons. One of the gentlemen that I spoke to on the CR39 goes to France a couple times a year and meets with French collectors. He also knows a French armorer at St. Etienne very well and is simply ignored by the armorer when he asks about the CR39. Also, I learned that the French gendarme are a part of the French Military Police, and are not like our police.

There are several that have contributed to the writing of this article, but without asking you, I won't use your names, but Thanks!! Once again, the purpose of this article is to shed some light on this rare gun so that if you are given the opportunity to buy one you will at least know what to look for. Any comments or criticisms will be well received.