Vigneron submachine gun. First Belgian

38

Vigneron M2 submachine gun, which was in service with the Belgian army (photo by the author)

The Second World War has died down. After many years of occupation, Belgium began anew to create its own army. Its equipment at that time was quite "motley". And if, before the arrival of the Germans, Belgium, having its own developed industry for the production of small arms weapons, provided the army with domestic models, then in the post-war period its armed forces were equipped mainly with British weapons and equipment, including Sten submachine guns.

On April 4, 1949, the NATO military bloc was created. Belgium, becoming one of the 12 members of this organization, was forced to take care of arming the army according to the standards of the alliance. The outdated technically and morally British Sten no longer met the new requirements. The question arose of supplying the army with modern automatic weapons. And the military demanded to adopt the Belgian submachine gun, meaning both its development and production.



In the race for a single winner


At the competition announced by the army, developments were presented, the vast majority based on the design of submachine guns from the Second World War. The contestants did not show anything innovative, and most of them dropped out at the first stage of the competition. Only four participants reached the finish line: MP RAN (Repousmetal SA from Brussels), MP MI53 (Imperia, Nessonvaux - Nessonvaux), contestant from FNand MP VIGNERON (abbreviated VIGN) by Précision Liégeoise SA

All these samples were quite cheap and fairly easy to manufacture. The most advanced of the contestants was RAN, developed by Vitold Porebski. The weapon was equipped with a whole range of accessories and could be equipped with several types of muzzle brakes, a bipod, a bayonet, and even a nozzle for firing rifle grenades.


1. MP RAN submachine gun from Repousmetal SA (geocities.com)

Vigneron submachine gun. First Belgian
2. MP RAN submachine gun, partially disassembled (geocities.com)

The development of the FN was practically a copy of the Italian Beretta M1938A submachine gun. But, unlike the “Italian”, the “Belgian” had a rotary magazine receiver, which made it possible to place the attached magazine under the barrel in the stowed position, similar to the Hungarian Kiraly 39M / 43M or the French MAT-49.


3. FN submachine gun in two versions (geocities.com)

The MI53 submachine gun from Imperia was a slightly redesigned Sten Mk. II with retractable stock. Even the design of the rotating neck of the magazine receiver was an exact copy of the "British".


4. MI53 submachine gun from Imperia (firearms.96.lt)


5. MI53 submachine gun. Partial disassembly (firearms.96.lt)

Belgium and weapons, as a rule, most people usually associate with one name - FN (Fabrique Nationale d`Arms de Guerre - National Factory of Army Weapons). Hardly any other Belgian company is as well known as this weapons center in Erstal, near Liège, where, among other things, the famous FN FAL automatic rifle was developed. But then, in 1952, in the race for the supply of a domestically developed submachine gun for the army, a completely different, previously little-known manufacturer from Erstal came to the finish line: Précision Liégeoise SA


6. Vigneron M1 submachine gun from Précision Liégeoise SA, left view (historicalfirearms.info)

Vigneron, like other finalists of the competition, was also not a masterpiece from a technical point of view, but nevertheless it was declared the winner. The designer and namesake, Georges Vigneron, a retired officer in the Belgian army, had never before had any experience in designing weapons. Judging by the name of the designer (from the French "vigneron" is translated as "winemaker" or "wine grower"), his ancestors were also far from weapons and were engaged in a purely peaceful trade. After intensive field testing, the submachine gun was officially adopted in 1952 by the army, aviation и navy Kingdom of Belgium under the name Vigneron M1.


7. Vigneron M1 right side view (historicalfirearms.info)

As in most Western armies, "Vigneron" has become a regular weapon of drivers, crews of armored vehicles, artillery crews, special forces, paratroopers, personnel of rear units and military police.

Its first series was put into production at the Société Anonyme Précision Liégeoise (Liège Presigine Limited Liability Company) in Erstal, where prototypes for field army tests had already been made. A little later, the Rocourt state arsenal, located near Liège, joined the production of submachine guns as a supplier of components. Some sources claim that a full cycle of weapons production was launched there, but there is no documentary evidence for this.

To reduce the delivery time for submachine guns to the Belgian army, it was decided to attract an additional manufacturer. The choice fell on AFEM (Ateliers de Fabrication et Métalliques - Metal Manufacturing Workshops) in Brussels. Some plastic assemblies and parts, such as the block under the trigger with a fire control handle, were manufactured by the Compagnie de Manufacture Herstal (CMN - Erstal Manufacturing Company).


8. CMH company logo on the handle of the Vigneron submachine gun (photo by the author)

"Winemaker" from Erstal


How was the winner of the 1952 contest organized? The Vigneron submachine gun was fired from an open jam, as in the vast majority of submachine guns of that time. With a length of 708 mm, and even with the butt extended, the weapon looked disproportionately long and not ergonomic - a sort of angular, ankle-length teenager, or rather, Pinocchio with a long nose. But at the same time, it had a very decent length of sighting line of 550 mm, which had a positive effect on shooting accuracy.


9. Drawing No. 1 from a patent issued to George Vigneron (historicalfirearms.info)


10. Drawing No. 2 from a patent issued to George Vigneron (historicalfirearms.info)

Successful, although not so innovative constructively, was the safety mechanism. With the help of a small rotary lever, located on the left above the trigger, the shooter could switch the fire mode from single to automatic or put the weapon on the safety. The corresponding marking was applied next to the lever: A - R - S. At the same time, it was possible to conduct a single fire in automatic mode. To do this, it was necessary to press the descent not completely. When fully pressed, respectively, there was firing bursts. USM worked similarly in the Estonian submachine gun M23 Arsenal-Tallinn, developed in 1926. But it is unlikely that George Vigneron held it in his hands - the Estonians made only 570 units, and most of them disappeared in the crucible of the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1937.


11. Fuse / translator of the Vigneron submachine gun (photo by the author)

Additionally, there was also a handle safety, similar to that used in the MAT-49, adopted three years earlier by the French army. He fixed the shutter, both in the forward and rear positions, while blocking the trigger. Only when the grip safety was pressed, it was possible to press the trigger and cock / release the shutter. This was a very good decision - it almost completely guaranteed the prevention of accidental shots when a loaded weapon fell with the barrel cocked down.


12. Handle safety, highlighted in red: on the left - MAT-49, on the right - Vigneron (author's photo)

The plastic USM unit with a pistol grip with the front ledge engaged with the axis in the window behind the magazine receiver and was fixed with a lid screwed onto the rear of the receiver. This design is very simple, but not without drawbacks. In order to remove the shutter, it was necessary to unscrew the cover from the back of the receiver. But at the same time, as a rule, the USM unit with the handle immediately fell down. The swivel of the USM unit, for example, as on the NK MP-5, would be a more practical solution.


13. The USM block of the Vigneron submachine gun may fall out if the back cover of the receiver is not fully tightened (photo by the author)

For these reasons, the Belgian army paid special attention to ensuring that the rear cover of the receiver was well screwed. In the worst case, with a poorly tightened back cover, the USM unit could fall out during firing. But at the same time, the weapon would continue to shoot until the cartridges in the store were completely used up. Such uncontrolled shooting could be very dangerous, both for the shooter himself and for those around him. Certainly, such an incident could not bring anything good.

The possibility of such an accident was taken so seriously that the submachine guns used in Africa were fitted with leaf springs on the back of the receiver to prevent accidental unscrewing of the back cover. Especially considering that it was equipped with a swivel under the shoulder strap, which, when twisted, contributed to unscrewing the lid. Obviously, the level of qualification of the local contingent was not so high as to neglect such precautions.

The designer borrowed many other solutions for his offspring from foreign samples - as they say, "from the world on a thread - a naked shirt." The barrel with fins for better cooling and a slotted compensator was almost identical to the barrel of the 1928 Thompson submachine gun. To simplify the too complicated manufacturing process in the mass production of weapons, barrel fins were later abandoned.


14. Trunks: below - Thompson M1928, above - Vigneron M2 (author's photo)

It should be noted that although the compensator was almost identical in design to the Cutts “Tommy Gun” compensator, but, unlike the prototype, it was quite effective and did not cause any complaints from anyone.


15. Compensators: below - Thompson M1928, above - Vigneron M2 (author's photo)

The barrel was attached to the receiver with a union nut, as in the German M.R.38/40. However, in this case, a small miscalculation of the designer was revealed, which, when assembling weapons, could lead to a funny result.


16. Fastening the barrel to the receiver with a union nut: at the top - Vigneron M2, at the bottom - M.R.40 (author's photo)

In a hurry, the barrel could accidentally be set "turned" 180 degrees, that is, the front sight down. At the same time, the weapon remained fully functional, but it was problematic to conduct aimed fire from it due to the lack of half of the sights.

17. An error when installing the barrel - and the front sight is upside down. Above - Vigneron M2, below - M.R.40. (author's photo)

I must say, the barrel could be installed "upside down", that is, the front sight down, and on the M.R.40. But it was impossible to shoot from it because of the sticking of the cartridge - the notch-tray in the chamber for feeding cartridges was at the top above the magazine. In addition, the ejector in this case rested against the end of the chamber and did not allow the drummer to prick the primer. Moreover, the incomplete disassembly of the "German" did not provide for the removal of the barrel at all, unlike the "Belgian". This was done by qualified specialists in army repair shops. For Vigneron, this was the last point of the regular incomplete disassembly of weapons.


18. A page from the original Vigneron M1/M2 Manual. Figures 24 and 25 show the last phase of partial disassembly - barrel removal (geocities.com)

A well-known photo shows an Irish IRA fighter holding a Vigneron submachine gun with an “inverted” barrel. There is also a video recording of the funeral, in which the same insurgent salutes from a hastily assembled Vigneron, while flashes and smoke from shots are clearly visible, beating down from the slots of the barrel compensator.


19. Photo of an Irish IRA fighter saluting into the air with a Vigneron M2 submachine gun with an “inverted” barrel (geocities.com)

I must say, even having revealed this miscalculation of the designer, nevertheless, no changes were made to the design. Although, in my opinion, it could be solved quite simply. The positioning of the barrel in the receiver was due to two pins installed in the breech breech. They entered the grooves in the receiver, cut vertically in the diametrical plane. It was enough to use pins of two different diameters, and make the grooves for them of the appropriate width. Then in no way would it be possible to mount the barrel with the front sight down.


20. Positioning the barrel in the receiver: two pins (highlighted in blue) in the breech go into the grooves in the receiver (highlighted in red) (photo by the author)

The receiver itself and the receiver of the Belgian submachine gun store were designed explicitly, so to speak, “based on” the German one. It is enough to look at them with the naked eye. It should be noted that in the NSD according to M.R.38 / 40, published in the USSR, the receiver has a different name - the bolt box.


21. Receivers: top - Vigneron M2, bottom - M.R.40. Spot a few differences (author's photo)

For firing blanks, the weapon was additionally equipped with a special barrel with a union nut, painted red. It was shorter than the combat one and did not have a front sight. Before training shooting, the “short man” was installed instead of the regular one. By the color of the shortened "pipe" and the absence of a front sight, even from a distance, it was immediately possible to determine that the weapon was used for "noise" shooting.


22. Vigneron submachine gun prepared for firing blanks (geocities.com)


23. "Idle" barrel of a Vigneron submachine gun (geocities.com)

The shutter was an almost exact copy of the British "Stan". It was made from a single piece of metal using turning and milling. The cocking handle, located on the left of the receiver, was not rigidly connected to it and remained motionless during firing. This solution was previously used in the Argentine Halcon M-1943 and the French MAT-49.


24. Shutters of submachine guns: at the top - Sten Mk II, at the bottom - Vigneron. The photo shows deactivated shutters (photo by the author)


25. The cocking handle with a protective bar is highlighted in red: at the top - Vigneron, at the bottom - MAT-49 (author's photo)

The cylindrical receiver and the magazine almost entirely consisted of parts stamped from sheet steel. The ejection window was located on the right. In the stowed position, it was closed with a spring-loaded dust cover. When the shutter was cocked, the spring threw it aside, opening the window, similarly to the German stormtrooper M.R.43 / 44 and the French MAT-49.


26. Dust cover of the Vigneron submachine gun: on the left - closed in the stowed position, on the right - folded back in the firing position (author's photo)

The cover itself was structurally almost identical to the cover of the American M3. Even the seal was glued on the inside in the same way as the "syringe". But the "Belgian", like the "American", the folded lid strongly protruded beyond the dimensions of the weapon, clinging to everything that fell, so to speak, under the arm. This was especially annoying for soldiers during operations in the forests and jungles of Vietnam. And if in the M3 such a cover served at the same time as a fuse, not allowing the shutter to be cocked when the cover was closed, then here it simply protected the receiver in the stowed position from dust and dirt.


27. Dust cover in combat position: Vigneron - on the left, M3 - on the right (author's photo)

Two guides for the retractable stock are located on the sides of the USM unit with a handle. The solid wire construction of the butt is very similar to the design of the butts of the American "grease gun" M3 Grease Gun and the French MAT-49.


28. Retractable butt: at the top - MAT-49, in the middle - Vigneron, at the bottom - M3. Spot a few differences (author's photo)

The retractable stock could be fixed in three positions (809, 846 and 887 mm). But even in the retracted position, he protruded by more than 9 cm. For this reason, when operating in a limited space, for example, inside an armored personnel carrier or other vehicle, he was often simply removed.


29. Vigneron M2 submachine gun, minimum butt length (photo by the author)

Both butt rods were designed in such a way that they could be used as a ramrod for cleaning weapons. The eyelet at the end of the right butt rod allowed the use of a swab for cleaning, while the left rod at the end was threaded for a brush for cleaning the bore.


30. The Vigneron retractable stock could be used as a ramrod for cleaning weapons. The right pull with an eye for a tampon, and the left one is adapted for a brush (author's photo)

The supply of cartridges was carried out from box magazines with a capacity of 32 rounds. Their design did not differ in any innovation. They were almost identical to the stores from M.R.38 / 40. This allowed dishonest sellers to sell Vigneron phosphated magazines to collectors (previously bluing) under the guise of the original ones used in the Wehrmacht. For comparison: while the original M.P.38 / 40 magazine cost 90-100 euros, the Belgian one could be bought for 17-20.


31. Stores M.R.38/40 and Vigneron are structurally identical, but not interchangeable (ima-usa.com)

I must say that there was still one difference, and a rather significant one, between the Belgian store and its German prototype. The radius of the pairing of the side walls with the rear and front walls of the neck of the store receiver for the "German" was greater than for the "Belgian". Accordingly, the radius of conjugation of the walls of the store was also larger. As a result, German stores easily became the receiver of Vigneron. But the shops from him did not fit into the M.R.40. Therefore, they had to be slightly pre-treated with a file in order to more round the edges of the upper part of the store.


32. The receiver of the MP38 / 40 store (bottom) and Vigneron (top) - with the naked eye, the difference in the radii of the interface of the walls of the receivers is immediately visible (photo by the author)

Of course, having repeated the design of the prototype, the Vigneron store inherited its shortcomings. Like the German one, the Belgian submachine gun magazine was not recommended to be fully loaded with thirty-two rounds in order to avoid jamming them in the magazine. The army manual required a maximum of 28 rounds to be inserted into it, which, in my opinion, was also optimistic. The Germans loaded a maximum of twenty-five rounds into their magazines.

To facilitate the process of equipping magazines with cartridges, a special device was developed - the so-called loading accelerator. The handle of this accessory was made in the form of a ring so that it could be moved up and down with the thumb.


33. A page from the original Vigneron M1/M2 "Manual" with instructions on how to use the magazine loading accelerator (geocities.com)

Technical specifications

Caliber - 9x19 mm
Automation - free shutter, shooting from an open shutter
Weapon length overall:
butt fully retracted - 708 mm
butt extended to position 1 - 809 mm
butt extended to position 2 - 846 mm
butt fully extended - 887 mm
Barrel length - 305 mm
The number of rifling in the barrel - 6 right
Weapon weight (without magazine) - 3,0 kg
Empty magazine weight - 0,28 kg
Mass magazine with cartridges - 0,68 kg
Barrel weight - 0,545 kg
Shutter weight - 0,655 kg
Butt weight - 0,375 kg
Sighting line length - 550 mm
Magazine capacity - 32 rounds
Rate of fire - 620 rounds per minute
Sighting range of shooting - 100 m.


The Luck of Colonel Vigneron


The Vigneron submachine gun has become, in my opinion, one of the brightest examples of the proverb “not gods burn pots”. Created in a short time by a man who had never previously engaged in the design of any systems at all, the weapon was able to bypass its more eminent competitors and become a symbol of the Belgian army of the 1950s and 1960s. Undoubtedly, it had certain merits that allowed it to win the 1952 competition.

"Vigneron" turned out to be quite simple in design and easy to maintain. To clean it, it was enough to unscrew the back and front covers of the receiver, and the weapon was disassembled into 7 parts, including the magazine.


34. Incomplete disassembly of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun (photo by the author)

The weapon was very technologically advanced - most of the parts were made by stamping, which made it possible to reduce its cost. This was probably the first and very successful experience of the Belgian gunsmiths in the widespread use of plastic for the manufacture of body parts by casting in the mass production of submachine guns. The plastic housing of the trigger with a fire control handle made it possible to reduce the weight of the Vigneron to a certain extent. The weapon turned out to be quite light - only 3,28 kg without cartridges. For comparison, the mass of his "donors": M.R.40 - 4,03 kg, M3 - 4,1 kg, Thompson M1928A1 - 4,9 kg, Sten Mk II - 2,8 kg.


35. The body of the USM block of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun, assembled from two plastic halves made by casting (author's photo)

The idea of ​​fixing the sliding stock in three positions turned out to be very reasonable - its length could be easily adjusted individually for a particular shooter. Now it has become almost a mandatory option for any rifle or machine gun. Neither the M3, nor the MAT-49, nor the Swiss M48/310 had this option.


36. The retractable butt of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun could be fixed in 3 positions - indicated by red arrows (author's photo)

In this, the Belgians, perhaps, still set the trend for the future for this type of weapon. For example, Colt began to equip its M4 carbines with a standard 4-position sliding butt. Other manufacturers offer them with a length adjustment of 5 - 6 positions.


37. Colt M4A1 carbine retractable stock in 4th position (above) and Vigneron M2 in 3rd position (author's photo)

The design of the type of fire / fuse translator, conveniently located under the thumb of the right hand, was also well thought out. Although, in my opinion, the lever could be larger, which would make it even more convenient to use.

A large sighting line had a positive effect on the accuracy of shooting. This was also facilitated by the successful design of the compensator. The rate of fire of 620 rounds per minute proved to be optimal and allowed for good control of the submachine gun during automatic firing.

The weapon turned out to be very reliable. This, among other things, was facilitated by its effective protection from dirt. The hinged dust cover in the stowed position was securely fixed with a leaf spring, which the American M3 could not boast of. And the slot under the cocking handle was covered with a bar.

It was smooth on paper ...


Created almost at the junction of two eras in the development of small arms, Vigneron could not become a guideline for all subsequent developments in such a class of weapons as submachine guns. Above the designer, in my opinion, the weight of the authority of the weapons of the last war still weighed too much. Using the best solutions and actually compiling them in one sample, George Vigneron could not achieve a breakthrough in the evolution of this class of weapons. Because along with the virtues of World War II veterans, the new weapon also received some of their shortcomings. Obviously, the developer's lack of design experience still affected. How can one not recall Ivan Andreevich Krylov:

“Trouble, since the cobbler starts the ovens,
And boots to stitch a pieman ... "

Possessing a certain set of advantages, Vigneron, however, was not without flaws. An overly long barrel (305 mm) did not have the best effect on the dimensions of the weapon, intended, in general, for transportation in a cramped space. Despite the fact that it was supposed to shoot from it by no means at the distance of a rifle shot. For example, the barrel length of the predecessors was: M.R.40 - 251 mm, M3 - 203 mm, Thompson M1928A1 - 267 mm, Sten Mk II - 197 mm.

So, of course, Vigneron M1 / ​​M2 cannot be called compact. This was probably one of the reasons why he was unable to gain popularity outside of Belgium and its former colony.

In fact, having inherited the store from the M.R.38 / 40, Vigneron received all its shortcomings in addition. Instead of the 32 rounds declared by the designer, it was recommended to load it with a maximum of twenty-eight, but in fact even less was loaded. And in battle, 4-7 rounds of ammunition could not be superfluous.

The dust cover in the reclined position strongly protruded beyond the dimensions of the weapon and clung to everything in a row. Which also cannot be attributed to the merits of a submachine gun.
The idea to install a handle fuse was successful, but its implementation, alas, not quite. Complaints of individual soldiers about the inconvenience of using it were recorded. Mounted on the back of a rather wide handle, it sometimes pinched the skin of the palm. In addition, cases of jamming of the key itself due to dirt ingress were noted, which made it impossible to fire a shot. It should be noted that although the handle had recesses for the fingers of the shooting hand, it was convenient only for shooters with a large palm.

Despite the simplicity of the device, nevertheless, the weapon required increased attention to itself. The possibility of accidentally turning the barrel over during assembly with the front sight down and not completely screwing the back cover of the receiver could lead to an inadequate and dangerous situation when using the Vigneron.

Identification of "Winemaker"...


Until the end of 1954, 21 Vigneron M300 submachine guns were produced. Minor modifications to the design of the weapon led to the appearance of the M1 modification. The changes concerned mainly sighting devices. The front sight received protection in the form of an elliptical casing. The diopter sight was replaced with a rear sight with a V-notch.


38. Rear sight and front sight of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun (photo by the author)

In addition, the spring of the protective cover of the cartridge case ejection window has been replaced with a stiffer one. After some time, the M1 submachine guns of the first modification were upgraded to the second version. Partially on such weapons in the marking, the number "1" was filled with a thicker "two" from above.

Vigneron submachine guns of the Belgian army were originally marked with the abbreviation ABL (Armée Belge - Belgian army) on the left wall of the magazine receiver.


39. ABL marking of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun of the Belgian army (author's photo collage)

On the majority of Vignerons now in existence, this inscription has been carefully polished off. The year of manufacture was also applied next to it, below - the model name and serial number of the weapon. On the right wall of the receiver, an image of a lion, the symbol of Belgium, was applied. On the weapons of the Forces of Public Law Enforcement in the Congo (Force Publique), under the image of a lion, there were additionally two letters: FP. While the abbreviation SV meant that the weapon belongs to the colonial administration (Congo Belge - Belgian Congo).


40. Marking of the Vigneron M2 submachine gun, decommissioned by the Belgian army. The place where the ABL stamp was cut is highlighted in red (author's photo)


41. The serial number was also applied to the bottom of the trigger guard (author's photo)

Way of the "Winemaker"


Despite the best efforts of manufacturers, Vigneron was never sold to other countries in large quantities. Only the Belgian army became its largest buyer. A small batch of submachine guns called Port Vigneron was acquired by the Portuguese police. Nevertheless, a lot of illegal weapons fell into the hands of the Irish Republican Army - it seems that the IRA leadership at that time had very good connections in Belgium.


42. An Irish Republican Army soldier armed with a Vigneron M2 submachine gun on an Ulster street (geocities.com)

Despite more than modest success in exports, this weapon has gained a very bad reputation on the African continent. Belgium's authoritarian colonial policy in the 1950s only increased resistance against foreign domination in the Belgian Congo. A lot of weapons were sent there to quell the unrest, including a large number of Vigneron submachine guns.


43. Belgian paratroopers armed with Vigneron M2 submachine guns (geocities.com)

After the withdrawal of the metropolitan troops from the Congo, a lot of weapons remained in the country. Most of it passed into the hands of the Forces of Public Law Enforcement (Force Publique), but most of it ended up on the black market. But, perhaps, the most high-profile crime of that time - the murder of Patrice Lumumba and two of his associates is also on the account of this submachine gun, in general, with ordinary characteristics.

How many exactly "Vignerons" were released is unknown. According to some reports, about 100-150 thousand units. The production of the submachine gun was stopped in 1962. It remained in service in the army and navy until the 1970s, until it was replaced by the Israeli Uzi (UZI), produced by FN under license. However, in the Belgian gendarmerie and reserve units of the Belgian army, he continued to serve until the 1990s. Given the number of units produced and the almost complete lack of export deliveries of weapons, the Vigneron M2 today can be attributed to rare and little-known examples of small arms from the Cold War.

Not widely used in the world as an army or police weapon, nevertheless, Vigneron managed to be noted in many post-war armed conflicts, especially on the African continent. Vignerons were armed with Belgian paratroopers at Stanleyville in the Congo in 1964 and in subsequent operations during the Belgian intervention in the Congo. They were also used by the army in the suppression of the Simba uprising.


44. Major Roger Hardenne (Roger Hardenne) with Belgian commandos, armed with submachine guns Vigneron M2, at Stanleyville airport. Congo, November 24, 1964 (smallarmsreview.com)

Mercenaries of all stripes also did not disdain to use the Vinieron. The weapon was very reliable, and getting it on the black market after the Belgians left the Congo was not a problem.


45. White mercenaries in the service of the dictator Mabutu: Jerry Puren - the "right hand" of Colonel Hoare, armed with a Vigneron M2 submachine gun (coollib.com)

After the Congo War, the Vigneron was used as a self-defense weapon by Union Miniere truck drivers in the Congo. To reduce the size of the weapon, so that it would be convenient to transport it in the cab of the car, the butt was removed, and the barrel was cut off to the front edge. The fly was sometimes welded back. But often the submachine gun was used without it, given the fact that it was supposed to shoot from such a sawn-off shotgun at a very short close combat distance.

In addition to Ireland, the Belgian "Winemaker" was also seen in military conflicts in Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Algeria, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Mozambique and Angola.

I must say, the first attempt by the Belgians to create their own submachine gun on their own was not entirely successful. Having incorporated the best from its predecessors, Vigneron nevertheless could not surpass them. Commercially, this project turned out to be a failure.


46. ​​Sources of inspiration of Colonel Vigneron. Submachine guns (from top to bottom): Thompson M1928, Sten Mk II, MP40, M3, MAT-49. On top lies Vigneron M2 (photo by the author)

In the development of pistols and assault rifles, especially given the worldwide success of the High Power and FN FAL, the Belgian gunsmiths at that time were the recognized favorites. But they obviously did not work out with submachine guns - it seemed that this was not their forte. And this situation continued until the end of the 1980s. The FN company, a world-famous arms manufacturer, having lost a competition for a submachine gun for the Belgian army in 1952, in general, a little-known company, was able to take revenge only more than 30 years later by developing the innovative FN P90. Thus, bringing the Belgians to world leaders in this segment of weapons. But this is another story...


47. The futuristic-looking FN P90 ushered in a new era of submachine guns (fnherstal.com)

The weapon killed and, unfortunately, will kill. This is its main purpose. But in the crimes committed by a person, the person himself is to blame, and not the weapon that he uses in his criminal deeds. As Arkady Dzyubin (played by Mark Bernes) said in the movie "Two Soldiers":

"The main detail of small arms is the head of its owner."

And where the tip of the “Spear of Destiny” will be directed depends only on the person in whose hands it is at the moment.
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  1. 0
    3 March 2022 18: 49
    And where the tip of the “Spear of Destiny” will be directed depends only on the person in whose hands it is at the moment.

    Yes. But that guy obviously doesn't quite understand the principle. I would not trust him with a weapon)
    Photo of an Irish IRA fighter saluting in the air with a Vigneron M2 submachine gun with an "inverted" barrel


    And about MAT49 will be? Or was it already?
    1. +6
      3 March 2022 20: 50
      And about MAT49 will be? Or was it already?


      There are plans to write about the Frenchman.
      About the Belgian was already on VO about 5 years ago, but it seemed to me very superficially.
      Here he wrote, I believe, in detail.

      Yours faithfully,
      1. +4
        3 March 2022 21: 20
        You definitely need to talk about the Frenchman, otherwise there is a whole series of articles about the Napoleonic marshals, but not a word about "threshers". wink
        1. +2
          3 March 2022 21: 27
          Understood. Let's do it! drinks

          Yours faithfully,
      2. +2
        4 March 2022 05: 14
        There are plans to write about the French

        Great news
        I must say, even having revealed this miscalculation of the designer, nevertheless, no changes were made to the design. Although, in my opinion, it could be solved quite simply.

        I don't think anything needs to be changed. In principle, there are no problems? Will it work? Well, okay. But what a good test, for professional suitability. It's like a toy for the little ones, where cubes of different shapes need to be put into holes of the corresponding shape. Apparently the Belgians decided to set such a threshold of requirements for trusting weapons ....
        1. +3
          4 March 2022 13: 55
          But what a good test, for professional suitability.


          Agree. But for the ordinary contingent in the Belgian Congo, this could be problematic ... laughing
          Although, a puncture with an "inverted" barrel was officially recorded only among the Irish ... laughing laughing laughing

          Yours faithfully,
    2. +5
      3 March 2022 20: 54
      Yes. But that guy obviously doesn't quite understand the principle. I would not trust him with a weapon)


      There are plenty of dilettantes everywhere... lol
      The charter clearly states - do not lay the gun on its side laughing

      Yours faithfully,
      1. +3
        3 March 2022 21: 17
        "Do not lie to the mirror in the desk. They lie." (C) smile
  2. +3
    3 March 2022 19: 25
    The author, definitely +. Explanatory.
    As far as I cut in as soon as Vigneron was removed from service, then I cut off the inscription: ABL?
    1. +3
      3 March 2022 20: 18
      Got it right. smile
      But look how professionally selected and processed the material! good
      Did you forget to put the plus article?

      Hello, buddy! drinks
    2. +5
      3 March 2022 20: 30
      I found a few more photos with this p / p.



      Funny photo with "scooter". smile
    3. +3
      3 March 2022 20: 56
      Thanks for your kind words!
      Yes, the inscription on the weapons seized from the army was immediately cut off. Where exactly this was done - did not find references.

      Yours faithfully,
  3. +2
    3 March 2022 19: 28
    As soon as I looked at Vigneron and remembered: MP38 / 40, outwardly very similar
    1. +1
      3 March 2022 20: 57
      Yes, the bird can be seen in flight good

      Yours faithfully,
  4. +5
    3 March 2022 19: 32
    Yura, good evening smile and thanks a lot for the great article! good
    The material is presented so fully and comprehensively that even no questions arise. The photos are just great!
    Since you mentioned p / p M23 Arsenal-Tallinn, I decided to add my "five kopecks" and insert his photo. smile


    I will wait for the continuation of the series "Spears of Destiny".

    Good luck and health! smile drinks
    1. +2
      3 March 2022 20: 59
      Kostya, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the addition.
      And thanks for the good wishes!

      Yours faithfully,
      1. +3
        3 March 2022 21: 16
        This is for you, Yura, thank you, but I just appreciated it. smile drinks
    2. Fat
      +3
      3 March 2022 21: 20
      Greetings Konstantin. I support the assessment of the author's work, as well as the wishes of health and success, and of course the continuation of the series. Yes
  5. +3
    3 March 2022 22: 13
    Thank you for the wonderful story about a little-known model of small arms in our country! good
    Designing it with an eye on so many "parents" they created a "very" peculiar "car" !!!
    good good good
    1. +5
      4 March 2022 00: 50
      Thank you for appreciating my work!
      It must be said that Vigneron was not alone in his idea of ​​borrowing and compiling the successful solutions of his predecessors. After the end of the Second World War, many people did this, appreciating such a class of weapons as submachine guns. But George Vigneron managed, in my opinion, to create a really interesting sample.

      Yours faithfully,
  6. +2
    3 March 2022 22: 52
    Thanks for the interesting stuff!
    The work is replete with characteristics and nuances unknown to the general public.
    It is felt that the author is well acquainted with the described samples.
    1. +2
      4 March 2022 01: 00
      Thank you for your kind words! drinks
      Yes, it is always better to write about what you know and what you can hold, or once held in your hands, than to compile pieces of text from numerous and not always accurate Internet sources. Well, most of the photos of weapons in both parts of the article were taken by me personally. And the facts given are accurate, since they are verified with my own hands.
      Like, for example, the possibility of the USM block falling out and installing the barrel with the front sight down. good

      Yours faithfully,

      Part one was posted yesterday.

      https://topwar.ru/192810-kope-longina-iz-belgijskogo-kongo-pistolet-pulemet-vineron-vigneron.html
      1. +3
        4 March 2022 09: 00
        Quote: Gunfighter95
        Part one was posted yesterday.

        hi
        I read it, thanks.
        I also wrote with background, and explanations.

        Quote: Gunfighter95
        it's always better to write about what you know

        I agree!
        I am a purely civil person,
        It is very difficult for me to write on military topics.
        A lot of time is spent on clarifying terminology,
        translations from foreign languages, comparison of data from different sources.
        As a result, we get the average temperature in the hospital wink

        So, the series about the Romanian ships took 9 months.
        For Romanian deck helicopters, another 3 months.
        Translated from 4 languages, and even mottos from Latin...
        On the series about the weapons of Hillberg, Stoner, Frommer - no less.

        Your Auto Mag series is good too drinks
        1. +3
          4 March 2022 14: 07
          I read your articles with great pleasure. You dig deep into the material. Taking off my hat! hi
          Very high quality publications that can be safely used as a reference material.
          It also takes me a lot of time to prepare the material. I can't do everything. I still can't finish the final articles on Auto Mag and the police luger.
          I look forward to reading your next posts!
          And thank you for your kind words!

          Yours faithfully,
          1. +2
            4 March 2022 16: 36
            Quote: Gunfighter95
            You dig deep into the material. Taking off my hat!

            Thanks for rating!

            Quote: Gunfighter95
            I look forward to reading your next posts!

            There was a time, there were forces...
            1. +1
              4 March 2022 17: 42
              Don't give up and don't give up!
              There are really few such comprehensive and professionally prepared materials.

              Yours faithfully,
              1. +1
                4 March 2022 18: 17
                Quote: Gunfighter95
                Don't give up and don't give up!

                Tried, but the main work suffered sad
                I have been treated by different doctors since 2019...
                1. +2
                  4 March 2022 18: 21
                  I also have a job that "distracts" from my hobby... laughing
                  And God bless you!

                  Yours faithfully,
                  1. +2
                    4 March 2022 18: 28
                    Quote: Gunfighter95
                    I also have a job that "distracts" from my hobby...

                    What for us work that interferes ... wink

                    Quote: Gunfighter95
                    And God bless you!

                    Thank you, mutually!
                  2. +1
                    9 March 2022 21: 50
                    Quote: Gunfighter95
                    can't finish the final articles on Auto Mag

                    Found some info in a 1974 magazine
                    Where can I download the PDF?
                    1. +1
                      9 March 2022 23: 18
                      Answered privately. Thanks!
                      Yours faithfully,
  7. +3
    4 March 2022 03: 45
    Thanks to. Interesting, informative, well reasoned.
    1. +1
      4 March 2022 14: 08
      Thank you!

      Yours faithfully,
  8. +1
    4 March 2022 15: 43
    Colleagues, forgive the Chainitsky question, I'm new here - but how to put a "+" on an article? I didn't understand... fool
    1. +2
      4 March 2022 18: 10
      Plus, it's easy to put - click on the red square with a "plus"

      Yours faithfully,
      1. 0
        4 March 2022 22: 11
        Apologies for the flood - I was interested in the main article ... that is, if I put + to the author in the comments - does it go like + to the main article?
  9. +2
    4 March 2022 16: 26
    Great article, thanks for talking about the PP in such detail. But even so, MP40 Plus is to the author's liking!
    1. +3
      4 March 2022 18: 07
      Thank you for your kind words! An interesting and little-known sample, and there is too little information about it on the Internet, mostly superficial, and too many inaccuracies. I tried to collect everything to the maximum, and only proven.
      Fortunately, there is dedactic material at hand.

      M.R.40 is already a classic. A very thoughtful "machine", although not without flaws.

      Yours faithfully,

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