French MAB Model R, Blue 4” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1951-1963 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,310
LSB#: 151111CK02

Make: Manufacture D’Armes Automatiques de Bayonne (MAB)

Model: R

Serial Number: 6478

Year of Manufacture: 1951-1963 (Per http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/MABR9/mabr9.html)

Caliber: 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP)

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE MAB BREVETE – S.G.D.G. / MODELE R”. The right side of the frame is marked “6478”. The right side of the slide is marked “MADE IN FRANCE”. The barrel at the port is marked “CAL. 7’65M/M”. .

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U” notch dovetailed into the top of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black checkered plastic marked with “MAB” on each side. The smooth borders of the grips show no marks. The checkering shows a few tiny spots of light wear, and is sharp to the touch. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued. The hammer is case colored and the backstrap is serrated.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some lead fouling about half way down the bore that we couldn’t get out with a bronze brush. .

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is thinning in the edges of the left side of the slide, a mark through the finish on the right side of the slide at the front of the frame and a light scratch across the top of the slide behind the rear sight. The rest of the pistol shows only a few light marks. The serrations on the slide, hammer and safety and the knurling on the magazine release are sharp. The grip screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull has a small amount of creep. The slide locks back on an empty chamber releases when a magazine is reinserted. This pistol has a magazine disconnect as well as a frame mounted safety. We did not fire this handgun.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one nine round blued magazine and an Owner’s Manual. The magazine shows minimal wear and is in Excellent condition. The Owner’s Manual is a single sheet of plasticized paper folded into a manual. It is marked “LE PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE / “MAB”” and “Nouveau Modele R”. It is printed in French and shows oil staining and spots of surface loss on the cover. The manual is in about Very Good condition. There is also a lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip.

Our Assessment: The MAB Model R was originally designed in .32 French Longue, a cartridge already in use with the French Army. However, the military had already decided that their next pistol was going to be chambered in 9mm Parabellum. When the Model R was offered to civilians in 1951, it was chambered in 7.65mm Browning and in 9mm Para. a year later. The pistol is in about Excellent condition with 98% of its original finish remaining. There is thinning on the edge at the front of the slide, a mark through the finish on the right side of the slide and a few light marks scattered over the slide and frame. The grips are checkered black plastic with no marks and sharp checkering. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, but there is some fouling about half way down the bore that we can’t get out with a bronze brush. The pistol is very ergonomic but the pistol is a little large for concealed carry, especially with the lanyard ring on the butt. This would be great for informal target shooting, especially for someone who can’t stand a lot of recoil.