Manurhin MR73 MR 73 Sport Gend .357 Mag DA/SA French Revolver 1990s
SOLD FOR: $3275
LSB#: 230915MH013
Make: Manurhin
Model: MR73, SPORT / GEND
Serial Number: HA03162
Year of Manufacture: Circa mid 1990s (HA prefix indicates 3rd generation, which were in production in the mid 1990s)
Caliber: .357 Mag / .38 Spl
Action Type: DA/SA Double and Single Action Revolver with a Swing-Out 6-Shot Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MR73 Cal. .357 Magnum”. The left side of the top strap is marked with the serial number, “HA03162”. The right side of the frame is marked with the Manurhin logo and “made / in / France”. The right side of the barrel is marked “JJ Perodeau Gnmk Inc, Sand Spring, OK”
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade integral to a serrated ramp that is pinned into a notch in the barrel rib. The rear sight is an adjustable square-notch leaf pinned to a channel in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Trausch checkered black rubber with palm shelf, thumb shelves, shallow finger grooves and a swell at the top to stop the grip from sliding down in your hand. The grips show a couple of light handling and storage marks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with a Straw Hammer and Trigger
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, there is some light fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its metal finish. The cylinder shows a turn line through the finish. The metal shows a couple of light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Excellent Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. The cylinder locks with barely noticeable play on each chamber. The single action is feather light and the double action is smooth. We did not fire this revolver. We did not fire this Revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver includes its original serial matching hardcase, tool and cleaning kit.
Our Assessment: The MR73 is, if not legendary, an exceedingly well-regarded and respected revolver released in 1973. The development of the revolver took place contemporarily with the founding of the French Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) and was made with the intention of solving for the limitations of the Smith & Wesson 19. GIGN is notable for their use of revolvers in their operations. GIGN Founder Christian Prouteau has said, “We’re not here to carry out the higher orders, we’re here to bring the people we have to arrest in front of a court, and not deliver immediate justice.” The philosophy was that use of a revolver demonstrated true technical proficiency and capability. In the early days of the organization, GIGN performed a drill called “First Round on Target”, where the shooter would draw their MR73, fire, then put the revolver down. It taught them on a psychological level that their first shot was really the only one that mattered—and a revolver is an ideal tool to demonstrate and master that concept.
While systematic use of the MR73 has stopped, GIGN still trains with it. The example on offer here was most likely manufactured in the mid 1990s and is in Excellent Plus condition, showing little use. The MR73 is an incredibly robust firearm, able to fire up to 100,000 .357 Magnum rounds before the barrel begins to degrade. This example is the Sport version, notable for its short stroke hammer and micrometer rear sight. A new version of the MR73 is currently being imported by Beretta, so original production versions such as this are certainly becoming more rare. Do not hesitate to add this storied, gorgeous revolver to your collection. Please see our photos, good luck and happy bidding.
-Robert
