The Fusil-mitrailleur Modèle 1924 M29 was the standard light machine gun of the French Army from 1925 until the 1950s and was in use until 2000-2006 with the National Gendarmerie. It fires the French 7.5mmx54 round which is equivalent in ballistics and striking power to the later 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) round. A robust and reliable weapon partly derived from the BAR action, the FM 1924 M29 soldiered on, practically without interruptions, for more than 50 years.