The fusil mitrailleur FM24 M29 or FM24/29 as it is more commonly referred to,  has an interesting history.

In 1922, the French began the process of replacing the Chauchat. The Chauchat had a questionable reputation, although to be completely fair to it, it was typical of an economy production item that was being employed in a role for which it was not actually designed. The Chauchat was never intended to be used as anything more than an automatic rifle, although it was pressed into the role of light machine gun, due to the absence of any other suitable alternative.

The main contenders in the trial were the Browning Automatic Rifle and the Hotchkiss. Neither proved entirely suitable. Colonel Reibel took the best elements of both guns and proposed his own design which was initially called the Reibel-Chosse. This was officially adopted in 1924 (hence FM24), although delivery did not begin until 1926.

There was a fundamental flaw in the concept unfortunately. Reibel had designed the gun around the new 7.5mm. French cartridge, which had allowed for the whole unit to be an entirely French affair. The new 7.5mm round was, apart from the actual bullet, identical to the German 7.92mm, Mauser round, which unfortunately (due to the proliferation of captured war-booty German guns in French service in the immediate post-war period), could be chambered if accidentally loaded, but resulting in the instant destruction of the FM24 if fired. This was, after numerous accidents, resolved by re-designing the 7.5mm round, retro-fitting of the existing FM24's and future production being designated as the FM24 M29.

The left hand side of the gun. Note the double triggers.


The right hand side of the gun. Note the 'clover leaf' on the stock; this where a monopod could be attached for sustained fire.

Our example was acquired a number of years ago and, in part because of its condition, we were advised that it was of post-war manufacture. Following a discussion with an expert in France, it seems our initial information is incorrect. Examples which were used during the war are batches A through to C. Unlike the British system in which the letter code is contained within the serial numbers (ie A1-10,000. B1-10,000, etc), the FM24/29's numbers continued throughout the letters A & B batches, unbroken.

Batches:

A 1-54000

B 54001-99999

C 1-37500

A and B were produced from 1925-1936, with C being produced from September 1939-June 1940; it is understood that C was produced purely as a response to the newly-declared state of war. No new batches were produced between 1940 and 1945, although the fourth D batch was produced somewhere between 1945-1952, after which the FM24/29's were in turn replaced with the introduction of the AA52.