Mateba Model 6 Unica .357 Magnum 6″ Blued DA/SA Revolver MFD 1998
SOLD FOR: $10036
LSB#: 230922MC009
Make: Mateba
Model: 6 Unica
Serial Number: 000823
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Caliber: .357 Magnum
Action Type: 6-Shot, Recoil-Operated, Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Cylinder Auto Revolver
Barrel Length: 6″ Vent Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set in a base adjustable for windage and elevation pinned to the front of the barrel shroud. The rear sight is a square notch screwed to the rear of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece checkered, oil-finished walnut with a high beavertail. There are light handling marks. The checkering is strong. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Black Alloy
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In my opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a light mark on the right side of the frame at the bottom rear corner of the cylinder. There are light handling marks. The markings are clear, some are a little light. The screwheads are undamaged. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has light play in full lockup. This revolver is designed to have the barrel assembly and frame recoil back on the grip frame, cocking the hammer and turning the cylinder, but will also function as a traditional double/single action revolver. This revolver does have a safety in the form of a sliding bar which stops the hammer from touching the firing pin if the trigger is not depressed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Introduced in 1997, the Mateba 6 Unica Autorevolver looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, but actually borrows its design concept from the much older Webley-Fosbery automatic revolver. With the frame able to cycle against a recoil spring, sliding on rails on the grip frame, the force of the recoil is used to cock the hammer and advance the cylinder, creating something of a hybrid semi-automatic-revolver. The 6 Unica does have one significant design improvement, that being that it fires from the bottom chamber rather than the top, which puts the bore axis much lower. Between that and the recoil force which is used to operate the action, the felt recoil is significantly lessened when compared to other revolvers in the same chambering and mass. This example is a 6″ model with a blued finish chambered for .357 Magnum. While the action’s design makes it sensitive to the loading of the cartridge, it is also designed to function as a standard SA/DA revolver, allowing the use of less powerful cartridges which may not cycle the action automatically. This revolver is in about Excellent condition with 98% of its metal finish, nice grips and bore and strong mechanics. The revolvers were available in different calibers and with different barrel lengths and finishes as well, but it is estimated that only 2,000 were made of all variations combined. It must be true that these are quite rare, we see thousands of guns here at LSB and this is only the second Mateba we have seen in the last five years! Not only is it rare but it looks fantastic and is ready to turn heads at the range or for display where its unique design and appearance would make it a favorite of nearly any colleciton. Please see our photos and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
