Despite its somewhat dated design, the French military used these rifles well into the 21st century. "It's a pretty traditionally styled bolt-action rifle with a wood stock," Brune said.

A French sniper armed with the FR F2 rifle secures the area during a visit of Mali's Prime Minister Django Cissoko at the Mali air force base near Bamako Jan. 19, 2013.

The 49/56 would have been fine weapon for World War II, but by the 1960s it was woefully outgunned by the AK-47. The AK was both lighter and used a much larger magazine than the French rifle.

The French Army was the first to use rifle grenades on a large scale during World War I, adopting the 3.3-pound V-B — or Viven-Bessieres — grenade and launching them from Lebel rifles.

The French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) has ordered a new standard issue weapon.. It has selected the Bren 2 assault rifle from Czech company CZ.The company told Shephard at the ...

Nicknamed “Le Clairon” (The Bugle) for its distinct shape, the FAMAS rifle has become a symbol of French military innovation since its introduction in the late 1970s. As one of the earliest ...