My neighbor Bruce's Nam bring back MAS-36 Rifle

**WWIIBuff1945** · 03-09-2023, 01:15 AM

For years I have driven by my neighbors house and saw his flying flags: The three flags were the American Flag, Don't Tread On Me Flag and lastly the Nam 1st Calvary Flag. I stopped by a few days ago and ended up talking for him for close to an hour. While listening to his Nam war stories, I asked if he brought home a war trophy? He said he brought home a French rifle and I should stop by in a few days to check it out. Well, I stopped by this afternoon and him and his son were sitting outside. He said he didn't know where it was and to come by in another few days. His son said I know exactly where it is and came back in a few minutes carrying a rifle in a cheap black case. I was surprised to see it still had the TWA Airlines tag still attached to it! I was drooling when I pulled it out of the bag. Bruce's rifle will be in my book. Here is a small section of his story: "I spent time in Vietnam and got a war trophy. I think it’s a 1930’s French made weapon. I’ve had it but haven’t looked at it for 15 years. The rifle is still in the bag I brought it home in! The TWA airlines tag is still attached! The gun was lying next to a dead soldier and I just picked it up. In our group, the first Air Calvary, we told our men, you don’t go stabbing people cutting their tongues out. This is a war – its horrible. Don’t degrade yourself or the military by doing stuff like that. I don’t recall if filled out any official paperwork to bring the rifle home. It may be somewhere around the house. I was just glad to be going home."

My neighbor Bruce's Nam bring back MAS-36 Rifle

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-09-2023 01:15 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**MAP** · 03-09-2023, 03:52 AM

Nice. I guess the VC didn't have much choice but that looks like a dangerous rifle to shoot.

**Anderson** · 03-09-2023, 08:47 AM

Great story and unique souvenir.

**Sleepwalker** · 04-11-2023, 07:13 PM

Hello,

an interesting find. Yes a french MAS Mle. 1936.

The gun looks like a find that was exposed to the weather for some time and may have been in the water for a while. The wood weathered in this way and the rusted metal speak for it.
This is probably a relic from the battles of the French army and Foreign Legion from Indochina.

Regards