The Vigneron SMG

I purchased the above Vigneron from one of the DWSUK site users. I thought that it would be a good weapon to review because it is still relatively cheap (even old spec.) and turns up regularly on stands at fairs as well as in Gun Mart adverts. A Vigneron was also my first deac. and therefore, there is a certain amount of nostalgia in having a play with one again.

The Vigneron is a Belgian design. It was issued to the Belgian Army in 1953 and then to the Belgian forces in the Congo. After the Congo became independent, these weapons were dispersed all over Central Africa. Some Vignerons were also acquired by the Portuguese and put into service as the M/961. This example would appear to be such a weapon - the original Belgian markings (ABL) have been machined out of the receiver. Such examples are often referred to as Port Vignerons. Production of the Vigneron continued until 1962 with weapons still in use in some parts of Africa.

The Vigneron is a relatively simple blowback weapon constructed in a similar way to many weapons of this era. It is mostly steel stampings with the grip assembly being produced in some type of reinforced polymer material. Its barrel is fairly long for a SMG and incorporates a compensator and muzzle bake. The pistol grip has an integral grip safety (similar to the UZI) which locks the bolt to the rear when free. It has a 32 round detachable box magazine which is very similar to that of the German MP40. The stock is a simple sliding wire design which is functional but not particularly comfortable (although its length can be adjusted). The fire selector has three positions; safety, semi-auto and full auto. It is suggested in texts I have read that semi-auto fire can also be achieved in the full auto position using lighter pressure on the trigger (similar to the Steyr AUG series). The top of the receiver has a flip-up cover over the ejection port; this opens automatically as the bolt is cocked via a lever on the left of the receiver.

Stripping the Vigeron is simple and quick. After removal of the magazine and sliding stock, the cap on the end of the receiver is unscrewed to release the return spring. The trigger assembly can then be pivoted downwards and removed from the receiver. The bolt can then be moved to the rear of the receiver (using the cocking handle) and taken out. The weapon is field stripped!

The Vigneron feels a very solid weapon, without being particularly heavy. The finish (some type of paint/lacquer) appears to be hard-wearing and certainly, this particular review weapon is in good condition. As far as I am aware, there are very few accessories available for this weapon. It is possible to obtain spare mags and slings at times, but past that, not much.

ABI have a number of Vignerons (of similar quality) for around £180.