Why does MAS-36 seem to be so popular?

Hi fellows,

Having been on this sub for a few month new, and I noticed that you folks here, when you show your collection, often have a MAS 36 in it. So I was wondering why are these so much enthusiasm?

Indeed, this rifle doesn't appear in a lot of video games, movies etc...And in France, I barely never see it at the range, even at our national surplus shooting competition (yeah we have that here).

I am not pretending it is a bad rifle, because it is not, but it is not widely better than a Mauser 98K or a Springfield 1903 for example

So, according to those who got one in their collection, what made you purchase one?