Vigneron submachine gun
Vigneron | |
---|---|
Blowback | |
Rate of fire | 620 rpm |
Muzzle velocity | 381 m/s |
Effective firing range | 100 m |
Feed system | 32-round Dual column, single feed magazine |
Sights | Fixed |
The Vigneron is a
History
Pre-production
After
- the Vigneron
- the Imperia, an improved Sten gun
- the RAN, a design by Repousmetal S.A.
- several FNprototypes
M1
The Vigneron M1 was designed by a retired Belgian army Colonel, Georges Vigneron, and officially adopted by the Belgian army in 1953. (this adoption date needs to be confirmed, one known survivor serial 002212 is stamped ABL 1952, indicating it was in Belgian army service a year before this date)
The first series of Vignerons was manufactured by the Societe Anonyme Precision Liegeoise in Herstal. Some parts were subcontracted to the State Arsenal at Rocourt in Liège, who eventually began making complete guns. Other Vignerons were fabricated by the company Ateliers de Fabrications Electriques et Metalliques or AFEM in Brussels. An unconfirmed story says that the CMH inscription on the grip means Compagnie de Manufacture Herstal, and this company is supposed to have made the plastic lower receiver.
The first model Vigneron was made until serial number 21300 in 1954. (This date needs to be confirmed since known M2 survivors have serial numbers indicating that at least 90,530 M2's had been built by 1953). Some sources state that many M1's were reworked to M2 standard by fitting hood over foresight, changing the rear sight and fitting a stronger spring to the ejection port cover and that when this upgrade was done the M1 designation was overstamped M2, but examples of M1's that have been upgraded to the M2 exist where the original M1 stamp has not been over stamped.
M2
The M2 version was an improvement in several ways, it was in production by 1953: (One known Vigneron M2 is stamped as serial 086916 and is dated 1953)
- a front sight protector was installed
- a rear sight notch was used instead of a peep sight
- the dust cover closing spring was made stronger
Design and influence
The Vigneron is a simple blowback design and was made out of stamped sheet metal and a plastic grip frame. It uses the standard
The gun was designed with a long barrel (305mm) which featured a compensator and cooling fins. The replaceable barrel was held in by a knurled nut, but a design fault meant that the barrel could be fitted upside down. This fault was never corrected. Empty casings are ejected out of the ejection port on the right which has a hinged dust cover. This cover opens automatically when cocking the gun. If the gun is to be kept cocked in dusty conditions the cover can be manually closed after cocking to exclude dust and grit, and it will open automatically when the gun is fired.
The bolt handle is on the left side and is non-reciprocating. A cover plate excludes dust and grit when the lever is returned forward.
The stock is heavy steel rod and it telescopes along the receiver; one end is slotted for swabs and the other is threaded for a cleaning brush.
The sights are fixed and set for a range of 50 m. The M2 has a simple notch rear sight and a hood cover that protects the front sight.
The pistol grip contains a grip safety which must be held before the weapon can be cocked or fired.
There are three selector positions: safe, single round and full automatic fire. When set to full-auto; it is still possible to squeeze off single rounds with good trigger control.
Influence by some popular WW-II-era designs is apparent. The "Cutts" type barrel compensator and cooling rings are reminiscent of the
A blank firing barrel and a grenade launcher attachment were also made for this gun.
Users
- Algeria[1]
- Belgium[1]
- Burundi[1]
- Congo-Kinshasa[2][3]
- Katanga[4]
- Luxembourg[5]
- Portugal (where designated Pistola Metralhadora m/961)[1]
- Rwanda[1]
- IRA[3][1] [6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Krott, Robb (June 2000). "The Belgium Vigneron SMG: Belgium's Little Known Submachine Gun". Small Arms Review. No. V3N9. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023.
- ISBN 978-1782000761.
- ^ a b Heidler, Michael (December 2013). "Vigneron: Belgium's Own Way to a Submachine Gun". Small Arms Review. No. V17N4. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021.
- ^ Abbot 2014, p. 14.
- ^ Wiener, Friedrich (1987). The armies of the NATO nations: Organization, concept of war, weapons and equipment. Truppendienst Handbooks Volume 3. Vienna: Herold Publishers. p. 429.
- ^ The Belgian Vigneron Submachine gun: Reaper of the Congo
External links
- Vigneron "fan site" with useful info (Closed)