The MAT 54 SB is a variation of the MAT 49/54, which was in turn the police model of the French MAT 49 submachine gun. Chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum, it uses MAT 49 magazines and most MAT-49 parts. However, the trigger mechanism has been changed to be semiautomatic only, and a fixed wooden stock fitted along with the standard short barrel. Only a very small number of these were made, probably less than 100. They were used by civilian companies like banks and cash transit companies that needed armed guards.
MAT 49/54 Police SMG:
Gevarm D4 SMG:
The tactical resemblance between this one and present-day pistol-caliber carbines such as the Henry Homesteader is interesting.
More range, accuracy and power than a handgun firing the same cartridge due to the longer barrel and better sights, but less range and overpenetration potential than a weapon using a rifle cartridge.
I suspect the old French acquaintance with the Winchester M1907 in .351 WSL might have had something to do with this development. After all, here in the U.S. Winchester advertised it not only as a “deer rifle” (for which it is admittedly a bit “light” for ranges much beyond 50-75 yards) but as a weapon for “bank guards, armored money transports, and prison tower guards”.
Similar problems tend to result in similar solutions.
clear ether
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“(…)suspect the old French acquaintance with the Winchester M1907 in .351 WSL might have had something to do with this development.(…)”
I want to note that in 20th century France did use conscripts AND MAT-49 was widely used by their military until introduction of FAMAS, therefore having altered MAT-49 might be advantageous as already familiar.
I remain unconvinced about the utility of these sorts of weapons. I suppose that they’re better than a handgun in the space they fill, but… The neutered semi-auto only aspect fills me with severe doubt about the whole thing.
There’s not a hell of a lot of point to carrying all that weight around for semi-auto only. If you’re going to carry it, then why the hell not have full-auto, and be able to do full-auto things. If, presumably, your banking transfers require that much security, then they need the full-meal deal. Any criminal attempt on the transfer process is going to be big enough to justify full-auto in response, so taking that option away from the security forces is just indicative of a certain failure to comprehend the actuality of things.
For a civilian? One that’s not able to do the necessary in terms of training? Sure, a semi-auto pistol-caliber carbine can be a good idea. For guys tasked with doing real security on things like major bank transfers? I just don’t see it. At. All.
I suppose the question is what the authorities thought the semi-auto was doing duty for. Was it to do the job of an SMG, or was it to give guys with handguns a better chance of a hit? If the former, the guards might be undergunned. I suppose the test is what kind of robberies were to be expected in France in those years. If the latter, it is a definite solution but rather weight intensive.