MARS CETME
- Thread starter AGG
- Start date
Excellent detail---may have been import-marked earlier at the manufacturer, with Spain utilizing the older zip code format.
History on the CETME:
a) Productions Models
- MARS production model “Sport” was produced at the CETME development facility in Madrid, Spain (not the Toledo main plant)
- Military CETME was manufactured at Empresa Nacional de Santa Barbara de Industrias Militares (National Business for Santa Barbara Military Industries) in Toledo, Spain
b) History
- (02-48) Ludwig Vorgrimler/Theodor Loffler (Mauser) to France (CEAM/Centre d’Estudes et d’Armaments de Mulhouse); (06-50) Volgrimer leaves CEAM to CETME/Centro de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales/Center for Technical Studies of Special materials (Modelo 2/7.92x41mm CETME M53- CA-001 cartridge; Modelo A (developmental prototype; produced 1956; adopted by Spanish Army in September, 1957)- 7.62x51mm CETME/112 grain- reduced charge; Modelo B/Modelo 58 (introduced in 1958)- early used 7.62x51mm CETME/112 grain, and later used 7.62x51mm/147 grain (with bolt group and return spring replaced)- open bolt in SA/FA and metal forearm with bipod; Modelo C (1964-1976)- 7.62x51mm NATO- open bolt in FA/closed bolt in SA and metal forearm with bipod on early models/wood forearm on later models; (1959) MARS Equipment Corporation asks CETME to consider whether it would be possible to prepare a Sporting and Target Rifle, with initial prototypes becoming available in (1962); after modification and further refinement, a subsequent prototype model was standardized as the Model “Sport” (1965); first production models, S-XXXXX* (1966)
c) Importation
- Modelo C (production model submitted to ATF)(United States)
C-35.030* CETME “Sport” (“SF” lower)
- production model submitted for ATF approval
- retained by ATF for comparison with later production models of the CETME Sport Rifle
- U.S TREASURY DEPARTMENT/INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE letter of 06-09-65
- imported 03-11-65/02-18-71 (late 1960’s/B-Series, C-Series and some S-Series; early 1970’s/S-Series)
- 1,258 U.S. importation (B-Series and C-Series/4 (3 and 1), and S-Series/1,254- 854 pre-68/400 post-68)
NOTE: based upon the SN's that I have seen (S-02102* through S-02729*), I believe that only the pre-68 models were imported.
All original CETME "Sport" manuals that I have seen have been dated "1966".
Tony
Guess who just bought one??? I only saw 3-4 at all the gun shows I ever went to. So much cooler than a 91.
www.forgottenweapons.com
The Original CETME Mars Importation - Forgotten Weapons
https://youtu.be/D_8KhRGm8ac RIA's catalog page for this rifle The CETME Model C would be the basis for the wildly successful H&K 91 / G3 rifle, and a small batch of CETME rifles was brought into the United States as early as 1966. They were imported by the Mars Equipment Corporation of Chicago...
www.forgottenweapons.com
