CETME Modelo C
Developed from the Modelo 58/Modelo B, the Spanish Army adopted the Modelo C, developed at Centro des Estudios Tecnicos y Materiales Especiales (CETME), in 1965. The Modelo C marked Spain’s transition from the lighter loaded 7.62x51mm CETME/CSP003 cartridge to the full-power NATO standard 7.62x51mm round.
Based on Ludwig Vorgrimmler’s roller delayed blowback action the Modelo C dispensed with the Modelo 58′s bipod foregrip and instead has all wooden furniture. Although a bipod variant was also offered. The Modelo C had a polymer pistol grip and a left-side three position safety/fire selector. The Modelo C fed from a 20-round box magazine and fired from a closed bolt. Empty the Modelo C weighed 4.2kg (9.3 lbs). The Modelo C’s receiver was reinforced in several places and a new flash hider was introduced.
A Spanish Marine readies his Model C for a boarding party, in the background another marine has a Star Z-62 submachine gun (source)
In 1959, the West German military also adopted the Modelo58/Modelo B, as the G3, improved and chambered to fire the 7.62 NATO round rather than the lighter Spanish ammunition. The Modelo B could be converted to fire the NATO round with a bolt and recoil spring kit. This conversion was designated the Modelo 1958-64-C. The Modelo C was introduced in 1965 and remained in Spanish service into the early 1990s when it was replaced by the shortlived CETME Modelo L.
Sources:
Images: 1 2
The World’s Assault Rifles, G.P.Johnston & T.B. Nelson, (2016)
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