The ETVS was developed in the 1930s in response to a commission from the French Army, who at that time were looking for a submachine gun for military service.

When World War II broke out, neither the MAS-38 nor the Mle 39 had been produced in significant quantities to arm enough soldiers.

[4] These guns were captured by the Wehrmacht after the Battle of France and pressed into German service as the Maschinenpistole 721(f).

Due to its unique chambering, the Maschinenpistole 721(f) was mainly use by occupation divisions in occupied France.

The ETVS was a blowback-operated submachine gun chambered for the French 7.65×20mm Longue cartridge.