Original Belgian Vigneron M2 Aluminum Receiver Display Submachine Gun with Excellent Live Barrel and Magazine - Serial 096504

Original Item: Only One Available. The Vigneron submachine gun was developed during early fifties by the officer of the Belgian army and produced by Belgian company Precision Liegoise SA. It was adopted by Belgian army in 1953, and saw some combat in then-Belgian Congo. Vigneron submachine gun was quite conventional in design and appearance, borrowing design aspect from many earlier submachine guns. For example the extendable but stock was copied from the U.S. M3 Grease Gun, the Barrel is finned resembling a Thompson 1928A1, the front sight resembles a German MP44, the blowback bolt action was based on the German MP 40 and is also in 9mm Parabellum.

The Vigneron M1 was designed by a retired Belgian army Colonel, Georges Vigneron, and officially adopted by the Belgian army in 1953.

The first series of Vignerons was manufactured by the Societe Anonyme Precision Liegeoise in Herstal. Some parts were subcontracted to the State Arsenal at Rocourt in Liège, who eventually began making complete guns. Other Vignerons were fabricated by the company Ateliers de Fabrications Electriques et Metalliques or AFEM in Brussels. An unconfirmed story says that the CMH inscription on the grip means Compagnie de Manufacture Herstal and this company is supposed to have made the plastic lower receiver.

The first model (M1) Vigneron was made until serial number 21300 in 1954. The M2 version was an improvement in several ways: a front sight protector was installed, a rear sight notch was used instead of a peep sight, the dust cover closing spring was made stronger. Many M1 versions were later retrofitted to the M2 specification.

This is a very nice example of a Belgian Vigneron M2 Display Submachine Gun, built from all original parts on an original BATF compliant non-firing solid aluminum display receiver, making this a 100% legal display Sub-Machine gun. As the receiver is completely inert and was never a functional component, that makes this display gun totally legal to own without a license of any kind. Every part on this display gun is original manufacture other than the display receiver.

This example, with serial number 096504 on the left side of the magazine well, is in lovely service used condition, showing some wear and overpainting to the bakelite / plastic lower housing, but no major damage. We haven't had one of these for years, but just managed to find this wonderful sample. It is correctly marked VIG M2 over the serial number, and there are additional markings on the left magazine well, including a 53 date. There is the correct coat of arms on the right side of the magazine well. We also noted that the trigger guard is marked 003088, so it was probably from an M1, which were made until serial 21,300. We checked the barrel, and it is definitely live, with an excellent bore, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, with little signs of use. It removes easily from the front of the aluminum receiver by unthreading the barrel nut. It is marked with serial number 000158, so it is probably the earliest part on this display gun, and shows how much parts were swapped during service.

Built for all original parts with a solid aluminum dummy receiver, complete with Magazine (where permitted) ready to display. The trigger mechanism still pulls, with a working grip safety and selector, and the wire butt stock is fully functional as well. This is a fantastic display submachine gun!

The 9mm Vigneron submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon which fires from open bolt. Fire mode selector / safety switch is located on the left side of the grip, just behind the trigger. It is interesting that in full automatic mode short pull on the trigger will still, produce single shots, and only a long pull will produce full automatic fire. Additional automated safety is built into the backstrap of the pistol grip. Cocking handle is located on the left side of the receiver, and is stationary when gun is fired. Ejection port has a spring-loaded dust cover. Barrel is relatively long and has two ports just behind the front sight base, which serve as a muzzle rise compensator. Sights are fixed, with rear aperture set for 50 meters range. Stock is made from steel wire and is retractable, with several positions so shooter can adjust it to his own preferences.