France's Super-Light 50mm Modele 37 Grenade Launcher
This video delves into the French Modele 37 (Mle 37) 50mm grenade launcher, a lightweight mortar developed in response to post-WWI modernization plans. Initiated in 1924, the project faced significant delays, only gaining momentum in the late 1930s due to the looming threat of war. Designed by Captain Nahan, the weapon was adopted in 1937 and saw substantial orders, though production was cut short by the 1940 armistice. Production resumed after the war, and the Mle 37 was utilized in Indochina. Its 50mm grenade also served as the foundation for subsequent French rifle grenades used on rifles like the MAS-36, MAS-44, and MAS-49. The mortar's projectile weighed approximately 0.4kg, with a range of 80-460 meters and a rate of fire up to 20 rounds per minute.














