Developed in the 1930s, the MAS 1938 entered production shortly before the Invasion of France, and would be used by the Germans (as the MP722(f)) and Vichy France, with captured examples seen with the French Resistance. A lightweight and compact weapon, the 1938 used a combination of a stock mounted buffer tube assembly and an off-axis bolt to reduce felt recoil, and could be stripped for cleaning without tools. While not one of the more famous SMGs of World War II, it claims a note in the history books having been used by Walter Audisio, aka Colonel Valerio, an Italian accountant turned partisan officer who personally oversaw the execution of Benito Mussolini, with official reports attributing the fatal rounds of Il Duce and his mistress to Audisio's MAS 38. Blade front and two-leaf rear sights, with the caliber and model markings on the left side, combination charging handle/dust cover, and a smooth buttstock. The trigger doubles as the safety mechanism, and the trigger housing, bolt, stock iron and buttstock are numbered to match the receiver. Magazine absent.
ConditionVery fine, with 90% of the original matte gray phosphate finish, showing areas of brown patina, minor spotting and edge wear. The furniture is fine, with minor scuffs and stains. Mechanically excellent.