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[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Vietnam]]
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The MAS-38 is a French submachine gun designed in the 1930s and used by French and German forces during the Second World War.
The MAS-38 is a French submachine gun chambered for the 7.65×20mm Longue cartridge, developed in the late 1930s and manufactured at the Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS). It is a simple blowback, open-bolt weapon that fires full-auto only. The MAS-38 is best known for its unusual receiver geometry and angled bolt travel, which helped keep the weapon compact while using a lighter bolt.
=HISTORY=
==HISTORY==
The MAS-38 Submachine Gun, developed from the experimental MAS-35 (derived from STA 1922 and MAS 1924), replaced various German and Swiss submachine guns used by France. Manufactured by the Saint-Étienne Weapons Factory (MAS), it began mass production in 1939 after initial resistance from the French Ministry of War. The German army seized the MAS plant in 1940 and continued production for their own use, designating it the 7.65 mm MP722(f).
The MAS-38 grew out of French interwar submachine-gun development and entered production on the eve of World War II, with limited numbers available before the 1940 campaign. After the occupation of France, production continued under German control for issue to German and Vichy forces, where it was designated the Maschinenpistole 722(f). Its high-quality, largely machined construction made it durable, but it was also relatively expensive and paired with a low-powered cartridge compared with many wartime SMGs.


Production ceased in 1949, with 1,958 units made before the German occupation. The French police used it post-WWII until the 1950s when it was replaced by the [[MAT-49]].
After World War II, the MAS-38 remained in service with French forces and police and saw use in postwar conflicts, including French Indochina, before being superseded by newer designs such as the [[MAT-49]]. In Southeast Asia, weapons of this type were also present among the diverse mix of arms circulating during the period, reflecting both continuing French use and the broader capture and redistribution of small arms in the region.
 
===Sources===
The MAS-38 featured a distinctive design where the receiver and butt diverged from the barrel axis, allowing for a compact build and lighter bolt. Its bolt was obliquely cut for proper closure, and it had a unique safety catch. It was known for its high quality, being machined from solid steel with few stamped parts, and had a concealed dual-range sight system. Despite its odd appearance and underpowered cartridge, it was accurate and durable.
* [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029405 Imperial War Museums — MAS Mle 1938]
<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAS-38 SOURCE]
* [https://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/wwii%2C-korea%2C-vietnam-and-beyond-1940-to-present/case-41-korean-war-firearms/mas-model-1938-submachine-gun.aspx NRA Museums — M.A.S. Model 1938 Submachine Gun]
* [https://www.si.edu/object/mas-38-submachinegun%3Anmah_415658 Smithsonian (SI) — MAS-38 Submachinegun]
* [https://musees-reims.fr/oeuvre/pistolet-mitrailleur-mas-38 Musées de Reims — Pistolet-mitrailleur MAS 38]
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File:MAS38cutaway.jpg
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Latest revision as of 06:07, 3 March 2026

Factions Weapon Icon Classes Ammo

VC
MAS-38		 Medic
Engineer
Radioman
 32 / 96
Damage Base Headshot × Chest × Stomach × Leg × Arm × Reload Speed
Partial Empty
35 ×2.4 = 84 ×1.3 = 45.5 ×1.1 = 38.5 ×0.7 = 224.5 ×0.65 = 22.75 2.266 Seconds 3.1 Seconds
Designation Weapon Type Fire Modes Fire Rate Bullet Spread ° Range Modifier Muzzle Velocity Projectile weight Weight
MAS-38 SMG Auto 650 RPM 7.0° & 2.15° ADS 0.87 350 m/s 5 g (77.16 gr) 4.3 kg (9.48 lbs)
Full name Caliber Place of Origin Date Manufacturer Barrel Length Total Length Weapon Script Name
Pistolet Mitrailleur de 7,65mm MAS modèle 38 7.65x20 France 1938 Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne 8.82 in (224 mm) 25 in (630 mm) weapon_mas38


The MAS-38 is a French submachine gun chambered for the 7.65×20mm Longue cartridge, developed in the late 1930s and manufactured at the Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS). It is a simple blowback, open-bolt weapon that fires full-auto only. The MAS-38 is best known for its unusual receiver geometry and angled bolt travel, which helped keep the weapon compact while using a lighter bolt.

HISTORY

The MAS-38 grew out of French interwar submachine-gun development and entered production on the eve of World War II, with limited numbers available before the 1940 campaign. After the occupation of France, production continued under German control for issue to German and Vichy forces, where it was designated the Maschinenpistole 722(f). Its high-quality, largely machined construction made it durable, but it was also relatively expensive and paired with a low-powered cartridge compared with many wartime SMGs.

After World War II, the MAS-38 remained in service with French forces and police and saw use in postwar conflicts, including French Indochina, before being superseded by newer designs such as the MAT-49. In Southeast Asia, weapons of this type were also present among the diverse mix of arms circulating during the period, reflecting both continuing French use and the broader capture and redistribution of small arms in the region.

Sources

Real-Life Photos
  • The MAS-38 used by Walter Audisio to execute Benito Mussolini (National Historical Museum of Albania)
    The MAS-38 used by Walter Audisio to execute Benito Mussolini (National Historical Museum of Albania)
  • a ranger of the ARVN strikes a pose with sandals, sunglasses, civilian transistor radio, and nón lá hat. duck camo frog lizard and a M1911
    a ranger of the ARVN strikes a pose with sandals, sunglasses, civilian transistor radio, and nón lá hat. duck camo frog lizard and a M1911
  • French commando (navy) in Indochine, with a french MAS-38 SMG and a TRPP11
    French commando (navy) in Indochine, with a french MAS-38 SMG and a TRPP11
Videos
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