Originally developed before the Nazi Occupation, the project that would become the MAS 1944 was hidden so thoroughly from the Germans that after they left, the gun had to be reverse-engineered from test models that wound up in the hands of partisans. Less than 7000 were produced, taken up by the Navy chiefly for issue to the Marine Commandos. Hooded blade front sight with red paint, and tangent adjustable peep rear sight, with the left side of the receiver marked "MAS Mle 1944/ F 5021". Smooth pistol grip stock, with a brown leather sling, matching number on the left side of the butt and a flat metal buttplate. An import mark has been added to the underside of the barrel. With a "MAS 65 1346" marked detachable magazine and a 13 1/4 inch spike bayonet.