Vigneron
Overview
Vigneron M2
Left side view of Belgian Vigneron M2 sub machine gun.
Source: Rama -
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Georges Vigneron
1953 - 1962 (M2)
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
Details
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.