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There is a common assumption that the MAS36 was a fool's errand from the outset why would a country develop a brand new bolt action rifle in the mid 1930s, when obviously semiautomatic combat rifles were just on the cusp of widespread adoption? Well, the answer is a simple one the French were developing a semiautomatic rifle at the same time, and the MAS36 was only intended to go to rear echelon and reserve troops. It would serve as a measure of economy, reducing the number of the more complex and expensive selfloaders necessary, while still providing sufficient arms to equip the whole reserve in case of a mobilization.

Well, the plan didn't quite work out that way, because Germany invaded France before the semiauto rifle was ready for production (it was, at that point, the MAS40 and was in trials). Not until 1949 would the selfloader go into mass production with the MAS49 (discounting the shortlived MAS44). With this in mind, the MAS36 suddenly makes much more sense. It is a simple, economical, and entirely adequate rifle without extraneous niceties. In a word, it is a Russian rifle rather than a Swiss one.

Production began in the fall of 1937, and by the time of the German invasion there were about 205,000 in French stockpiles. They saw extensive use in the Battle of France, along with M34 Berthiers in 7.5x54mm. Some would escape to serve the Free French forces worldwide through the war, and others would be captured and used by German garrisons in France and along the Atlantic Wall. Production resumed upon the liberation of St Etienne in 1944, and by 1957 about 1.1 million had been made. They basically fall into two varieties, with several prewar milled components changed to more economical stamped designs after the war.

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