MAT-49 (Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle 49)

History of MAT-49 (Manufacturing Nationale d'Armes de Tulle 49)

The MAT-49 is a submachine gun developed in France by the Thule National Arms Manufacturer (MAT) and entered into service in 1949, hence the name "MAT-49". Production continued from 1949 to 1979, during which time the weapon was widely used by the French army and police.

Although the FAMAS assault rifles that entered service in France in 1979 were replaced by the FAMAS assault rifles, the MAT-49 is still in use today in French police forces, as well as in combat use in countries around the world. Submachine guns were also used in the First Indochina War (1946-1954), the Suez Crisis (1956), the Algerian War (1954-1962) and the Vietnam War (1959-1975) - in the latter conflict North Vietnam produced a single Cavity version for firing Soviet Tokarev cartridges on the original Parabellum.

The MAT-49 can use a 20-round or 32-round detachable straight box magazine. The unladen weight is approximately 3.5kg and the loaded weight is approximately 4.17kg. Overall length is 26" with wire ends fully extended and 16" with wire folded.

Bottom barrel is 9 inches long with 4-slot left-hand insert. The muzzle velocity is 1,200 feet per second. The main cartridge is 9x19mm Parabellum and the firing action is recoil. The rate of fire is about 600 rounds per minute.

The French Army put the MAT-49 into combat service in 1949, both they and the French police have been using the submachine gun for about 30 years, making it successful and justifying the design. The simplicity of the MAT-49 made it a robust and reliable weapon system that was later used by the armed forces of Cambodia, Laos, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Vietnam and Lebanon.

The MAT-49 has proven acceptable in practical use - its foldable nature makes it ideal for paratroopers and special infantry, as well as a weapon for vehicle occupants where space is often an issue. Operators note the available firepower of the submachine guns, their inherent human stopping ability, and their adaptable small size, despite their clean design and somewhat heavy size for this type of weapon.

From the outside, the design of the MAT-49 is downright purposeful. The gun is made from thick stamped parts, and its straight lines help speed up production while keeping costs down. Internally, the number of machined parts is intentionally limited, which helps the MAT-49 achieve a remarkable service life over its decade-long service life.

The receiver is rectangular and houses the main inner working parts of the weapon. The angled pistol grip (with plastic furniture) and trigger assembly are located under and aft of the body.

The stock is a retractable wire (similar to the American WWII-era M3 "Grease Gun") with a flat end for precise shooting against the shoulder. With the cable tray fully pressed against the receiver, MAT-49 users enjoy a shorter, more convenient overall design. A prominent safety feature is built into the rear of the pistol grip.

The magazine is inserted into the lower front part of the fuselage, and the magazine case itself can pivot forward along a hinge. This feature further reduces the overall size of the weapon for easy portability and concealment, and is known as the "safe position" when Cooley is down. The MAT-49's magazine is often known for its association with the British WWII Sten magazine, while the case itself also serves as a foregrip. The trigger is a large, sturdy part and is protected by an integral trigger ring. The barrel was placed in a ventilated case and protruded a small part from the receiver.

The muzzle was covered by a tunnel precaution to complement the "flipped" rear sight located at the top rear end of the receiver. The cylindrical trigger handle is located on the left side of the gun body.

During the Vietnam conflict, the North Vietnamese converted the surplus MAT-49s left by the retreating French troops to fire Soviet 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridges - which is understandable since the entire region used more cartridges than 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. These weapon systems are now identifiable by their longer (35 rounds) curved magazines.

Their rate of fire was also increased by nearly 900 rounds per minute compared to the original French 600 rounds per minute.

The MAT-49/54 appeared in 1954 as an improved version of the original MAT-49. Specifically designed for police forces, this version features a dual-trigger design (for fully automatic and single-shot firing).

The sloping solid wood stock and longer barrel (with longer vent) also welcome the new design.

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