M52 rifle grenade

The Modèle 1952 34mm HE rifle grenade was in French service from 1952 to 1978. It was used alongside the APAV40 rifle grenade in French service.[1] It was propelled by being mounted atop a rifle's 22 mm grenade launching adapter, and being launched by a ballistite (blank) cartridge.

In common with other rifle grenades of this era, they became obsolescent when the bullet trap form of propulsion became popular at the end of the 1970s.

The Yugoslavian M60 anti-personnel grenade, similarly launched from a rifle's 22 mm grenade launching adapter by a ballistite cartridge, bears a strong resemblance.

M52
Type	rifle grenade
Place of origin	France[1]
Service history
Used by	French Army
Production history
Designed	1950
Specifications
Mass	500 grams
Length	270 mm
Diameter	34 mm
Maximum firing range	400 meters

Sources and references

1. Archer, Denis H R, ed. (1978). Jane's Infantry Weapons (Fourth Edition) 1978. London: Macdonald and Jane's. p. 769. ISBN 978-0354005630.

French army manual on rifle grenades dated 1966 with an illustration of the Modèle 1952 and text on pages 21 to 22

External links

• Photo of a MAS 36 rifle with adapter and M52 34mm rifle grenade
• Photos and cutaway images of the M52 rifle grenade (as used with the MAS 36)
• A French navy commando armed with rifle grenades aboard a helicopter in Algeria
• Article (in Spanish) with reference to several French rifle grenades