Vigneron



Overview


Vigneron M2

Left side view of Belgian Vigneron M2 sub machine gun.
Source: Rama - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Belgium
Type
Sub machine gun
Entered service
1953
Status
Obsolete
Development
Early 1950's
Developer
Belgium
Georges Vigneron
Production
1952 - 1954 (M1)
1953 - 1962 (M2)
Producer
Belgium - Precision Liegoise SA
Number produced
At least 90.000
Designations
Pistola Metralhadora m/961 (Portugese service)
Notable users
Belgium
Portugal

Description


Introduction

The Vigneron is an early Cold War era sub machine gun of Belgian origin. It was developed by Belgian army colonel Georges Vigneron to equip the post World War 2 Belgian army.

Design

The Vigneron is a blowback operated sub machine gun that fires from an open bolt position. The design includes various elements from earlier sub machine guns, most notable the tubular receiver, hinged dust cover and wire strut retractable stock of the M3 Grease Gun. The magazines and magazine housing are patterned after the MP40. The ribbed barrel and ported muzzle seem to be derived from the M1928 Thompson sub machine gun.

Firepower

The Vigneron fires the 9x19mm Parabellum from a 32 round detachable magazine. It is a select-fire weapon with ability for semi-automatic fire and full automatic fire at 620 rpm. The fixed sights are zeroed at 50 meters. Maximum effective range is 100 meters.

Users

The Vigneron was developed for use by the Belgian army. These guns were used extensively in the conflicts in the Congo. Portugal also adopted the Vigneron and various batches were sold to African nations. In Belgian service the Vigneron was replaced by the FNC assault rifle in the 1980's and 1990's.

Variants

Vigneron M1
Early production model with peep sight. Many upgraded to M2 pattern.
Vigneron M2
Improved production model with notch sight, front sight protector and improved dust cover.

Details


Facts Vigneron
General
Origin
Belgium
Type
Sub machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
9x19mm Parabellum
Feed system
32 round detachable box magazine
Barrel length
300 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
381 m/s
Operation
Action
Blowback operated, fires from open bolt
Locking
None
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
620 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable
Length
872 mm stock extened
695 mm stock retracted
Weight
3.28 kg empty
3.68 kg loaded
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, fixed for 50 m range
Post front and peep sight rear (M1)
Post front and notch rear (M2)
Sight radius
0.56 m

Related articles


M3 Grease Gun

Many design elements of the Vigneron sub machine gun were based on the US M3 Grease Gun.

Sola Super

In Luxemburg a sub machine gun with great similarity to the Vigneron was produced named Sola Super.