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Mitraillette Vigneron

1953 COLD WAR MODERN

History of Mitraillette Vigneron

The Mitraillette Vigneron originated from the need for domestic and modern submachine guns in the Belgian army after World War II. After the war, the rebuilding Belgian army relied heavily on foreign stockpiles of weapons, most of which came from the United States and Britain.

After testing several designs, the Belgian authorities chose an indigenous design, known as the "Vigneron M1". Designed under the direction of former Belgian Colonel Georges Vigneron (hence the gun's name), the gun holds the generally accepted 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge and is fired from a 32-round cartridge.

"MP40 style" straight detachable magazine (so this weapon can use wartime MP40 magazines). After an official development attempt, the weapon entered service in 1953 and became the standard submachine gun of the Belgian Army.

The Vigneron's design is relatively simple, borrowing heavily from wartime designs such as the American M3 "Grease Gun" and the French MAS38 submachine gun. The firing action is based on the recoil principle, which enables it to reach a rate of fire of 620 rounds per minute, with the spent 9mm case being ejected from the right side of the receiver. The effective range is up to 100 meters, and aiming is carried out by means of fixed iron sights located on the rear of the receiver and on the muzzle.

The charging handle is placed on the left side of the gun. The upper receptacle is tubular in general shape and connects to the angled lower part of the receptacle. The stock consists of an integral wire system forming two struts mounted on either side of the receiver.

The stock is curved at the shoulder to provide some comfort while shooting. The selector switch is placed near the pistol grip, which itself is integrated into a solid trigger unit. The magazine is usually inserted in front of the trigger unit.

Loops at the rear and front of the receiver allow the use of shoulder straps. The barrel is ribbed near its base for basic cooling, while the muzzle is perforated along the top fairing. The construction is stamped sheet metal, while the grip frame is plastic.

A selector switch allows the operator to manage safety modes, as well as semi-automatic and fully automatic fire modes. For obvious reasons, fully automatic fire was often less accurate, eventually leading to semi-automatic firing at long-range targets becoming the norm. Since the Vigneron is primarily a short-range weapon, it can be ignored.

There is also a safety mechanism built into the handle.

The Vigeron M1 series was in production until 1954, when an improved version was introduced - the Vigneron M2. These include a reinforced dust cover above the ejection port, an improved front sight (notched mount from the original peep sight), and guards for front sight placement.

The Vigneron series of submachine guns were in service until the 1980s. All production is carried out on Belgian soil by SAPL in Herstal, the National Arsenal in Liege and the AFEM Group in Brussels. Operators include Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Portugal.

While serving in the Portuguese Army, the Vigneron was known as "Pistola Metralhadora Vigneron M/961".