The French Finger Trap: MAS-36 Bayonet Shenanigans

Published on August 10, 2019
Duration: 4:24

This video details the unique MAS-36 rifle bayonet, a cruciform spike stored internally. It highlights a prank known as the 'French Finger Trap' where bayonets lock two rifles together. An arsenal solution from 1951 involved drilling a hole in the bayonet cap to allow separation using a firing pin, a fix also applicable to MAS-44 and MAS-49 rifles.

Quick Summary

The 'French Finger Trap' was a prank involving locking two MAS-36 rifles together by inserting their bayonets into each other's storage tubes. A 1951 French Arsenal solution involved drilling a hole in the bayonet cap to allow a firing pin to release the lock.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: MAS-36 Bayonet Anecdote
  2. 00:38MAS-36 Bayonet Mechanics Explained
  3. 01:25The 'French Finger Trap' Prank
  4. 02:16Arsenal Solution for Locked Bayonets
  5. 03:32Conclusion & French Firearms Book

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'French Finger Trap' related to the MAS-36 rifle?

The 'French Finger Trap' was a prank where soldiers would lock two MAS-36 rifles together by inserting their bayonets into each other's internal storage tubes, making them difficult to separate without specific knowledge.

How did the French Arsenal solve the 'French Finger Trap' problem?

In 1951, a French Arsenal memorandum detailed a solution: drilling a small hole in the bayonet cap. This hole allowed a firing pin to be inserted to depress the spring-loaded catch, enabling separation of the locked rifles.

What type of bayonet does the MAS-36 rifle use?

The MAS-36 rifle features a cruciform spike bayonet. It is uniquely designed to be stored internally within a tube located beneath the barrel when not in use.

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