MAS 36 mark

[lrgrendel]

Recently purchased this MAS 36 which was rearsenaled in 1977 and still in its mummy wrapped wax paper.
Can anyone explain what this mark is? It looks very deliberate and is on some other rifles on the internet but not all....

Thanks

 

[pmclaine]

Almost looks like a timing mark for the barrel but that is usually up next to the receiver ring and meets a corresponding mark on the receiver.

Your sights are not perhaps 90 degrees from top 0 are they?

Perhaps when the Frenchman dropped it the barrel twisted.

 

[MK20]

pop the handguard off and look at the barrel underneath for a similar mark. obviously a timing mark

 

[Son of Dorn]

+1 on it being a timing mark and checking the barrel under the handguard.

EDIT: @lrgrendel , your mark's in the same place as this one here, yeah?

 

[lrgrendel]

Yes. It is exactly the same. Right at the 12.00 o’clock position on the receiver.
The sights on the rifle are in the correct position and work as designed.

Here is another photo.
Thanks for the reply’s.
It is kind of strange that it is on some but not others.....

 

[Son of Dorn]

Could be different generations of the MAS 36, could be marks from arsenal refurbishment or something like that.

 

[sandwarrior]

Recently purchased this MAS 36 which was rearsenaled in 1977 and still in its mummy wrapped wax paper.
Can anyone explain what this mark is? It looks very deliberate and is on some other rifles on the internet but not all....

ThanksView attachment 7233254

That’s the “drop point”.?. Note how it also points which way to run... to the rear.

In seriousness, that is a barrel timing mark. It’s put on TDC in case of other needs than rebarreling.