alternatehistory.com

Two French guns ahead of their time: the Ribeyrolles-Sutter-Chauchat 1918 carbine, and the Ribeyrolles 1918 automatic rifle. The French switched from 8mm caliber to 7.5mm in 1924 (and then to a 54mm case in '29).
Let's suppose they modify both weapons to take a 7.5×35mm cartridge (call it 7.5 Court, "short"), ditch the latter's bipod to save weight and maybe trim the stock, receiver, etc. The new rifle (call it the Fusil Automatique Modèle 1929 or just MAS-29) becomes France's service rifle instead of the MAS-36 (which most likely stays when the time comes as a sniper rifle). Likewise, assume the Ribeyrolles 1929 butterflies out the MAS-38 SMG, since it can fulfill that role. Alternatively, to further ease logistics, we can give the MAS-29 a 25-round mag and selective-fire function. Voilà! Un fusil d’assaut lighter than the Ribeyrolles.

Now, to play devil's advocate: even if the French brass saw the logic in these guns and the 7.5 Court, the only way to fund production would be to skimp on the Maginot Line, which is borderline impossible unless somebody or a group of somebodies asks "Do we really want to hinge the national defense on the Boche supposedly being unable to get through the Ardennes?" And even if one or both were produced, most French troops would lack the training to effectively use them.

So, my fellow alt-historians, what say you?
Top