French MAS 36/29 Paratrooper Rifle Needle Bayonet: Unissued

Original Item: In 1936 the French Army adopted the MAS 36 bolt-action rifle, which carried a needle bayonet, 17'' in length, stored in the reverse position inside the fore stock of the rifle. For use it was simply reversed with the long needle blade extended in front of the rifle muzzle. Great quantities were issued and in 1939. With WW2 looming, the French adopted an interesting folding stock version with a hollowed aluminum stock that folded forward under the barrel and action. The overall length of the MAS 36/39 Paratrooper Rifle was then shortened for easy maneuverability and the bayonet was adopted in a 15" overall length. Here offered are a small quantity of these exceedingly scarce MAS 36/39 15" French WW2 Needle Bayonets in outstanding dark parkerized condition.