The MAS Mle 1949/56 is a post-World War II French self-loading rifle design with a direct-impingement action. It stayed in French military service until it was replaced by the 5.56x45mm FAMAS bullpup in 1979.

This special sharpshooter model of the MAS-49/56 comes with the detachable APX scope.

The APX optic mounts to the left side of the milled receiver.

Right side view of the MAS-49/56’s receiver. The plastic charging handle is part of the bolt carrier. Noted that the bolt carrier has a clip guide machined directly on it, which is a very common feature in many early self-loading rifle designs.

QD lever in the 1940s style.

The APX scope with the rubber eye-piece removed.

The APX L806 model has a fixed 3.85x magnification with a effective range adjustment to 800 meters.

The APX L806 scope figures in the French feature film La 317e Section (the 317th Platoon) which takes place during the closing days of the French war in Indo-China. It is seen mounted onto the earlier MAS Mle 1949 rifle.

Close-up of the APX L806 scope from the French film La 317e Section

A sharpshooter’s eye view of the APX’s reticle leading a Viet Minh in a screen shot from La 317e Section.