Mab Model D Serial Numbers
MAB pistols
French Mab Model D Pistol
Jun 30, 2014 - Serial numbers for the Brevete Model D started in 1933 at serial number 10750; mine is 38648 so I assume it was pre-WWII made. Type Is were.
The M.A.B. automatic pistols, made by Manufacture d'Armes Automatiques of Bayonne, France, are patterned after the Browning models. They are well made and are quite popular in the U.S. Production began in 1921, and up to and including World War II pistols were made in 6.25, 7.65, and 9 mm. Short (ACP) calibers. Following the war a .22 caliber model was brought out and some larger-caliber models were also added.
For a considerable period during World War II the plant was operated under the supervision of the occupying Germans. When operations were resumed by the owners at the close of the war the serial numbering, which had continued without interruption during German occupation, was set back (in some cases at least) to an approximation of where it was at the time of seizure of the plant. Not all of the vagaries in numbering can be explained so simply, however, because as late as 1949 the numbering of some models was set back to some arbitrary figure, even to No. 1 in some cases. Hence, it should be possible to find two M.A.B. pistols of the same model bearing the same serial number. In some cases the German acceptance mark will be found on one of them, but in other instances it will not.
Modele A-This pistol, originally without official nomenclature but later designated as Modele A, appears not to have had any systematic numbering system from the time of its introduction (1921) to 1925. In 1925 a French law required the registry of serial numbers, so at that time the use of consecutive numbers began. Since the serial numbers for the pistols made from 1921 to 1925 were not recorded, it is not known what the total production was for that period. From 1925 to some time in 1942 the numbers covered the range 10,001 to 109,240. When manufacturing was resumed by the owners in 1945, serial numbering was set back to start at No. 50,001. This does not mean that exactly 10,001 had been made up to 1925, nor does it mean that exactly 40,000 had been made by the French from 1925 to the time that the Germans took over. The figures are no doubt approximations, at best.
The Modele A resembles the Browning 1906 very closely. It has three safeties, including the grip safety. Very early specimens (one marked H28) and much later specimens (e.g., No. 79,354 ), as well as recent circular illustrations issued by the manufacturer, show the same appearance.
Modele B-This model, also in 6.35 mm. caliber, differs from Mod. A in some important respects, though still following the general Browning design. The upper part of the front half of the slide is cut away, exposing the full length of the barrel, and ejection of spent shells is upward rather than through a shell ejection port on the right side of the slide, as in Mod. A. Also the grip safety is absent, and Mod. B. has a fore sight, while Mod. A has no sights.
Production began in 1932 and this model is also in current production. Serial numbers started at No. 79,084 and are said to have progressed regularly until November of 1949, at which time the numbers reverted to No. 25,001.
Modele C-Modele C, originally a 7.65 mm. pistol, was later made in both 7.65 and 9 mm. Short (.380) calibers. It was introduced in September 1933 and serial numbering began at
10,504. By January 1946 the numbers had reached 114,690, at which time the numbering was set back to 68,821. Numbering was again interrupted at No. 71,015 in April 1949 and was set back to No. 1, from which it has proceeded.
The exact reasons for these (and similar) changes are not known but no doubt are connected with the German operation (or supervision) of the French plants during World War II.
While Mod. C looks much like an enlarged Mod. A, its method of disassembly is different and it is provided with sights, front and rear. The method of disassembly is much like that of the 1910 Browning and the Mod. 400 Astra. A short sleeve, with front end knurled, surrounds the muzzle of the barrel. The function of this sleeve is to retain the recoil spring, the forward end of which projects into it. The sleeve is held by a bayonet-type catch and is prevented from rotating accidentally by a bar catch (operated by a spring) placed below the muzzle. When the front end of this catch is raised, by depressing the rear end, the sleeve can be turned to a position where it is released, permitting withdrawal of sleeve and recoil spring. The slide is then removed to a point where the thumb safety can be engaged in the forward notch on the lower side of the slide, whereupon the barrel can be rotated to a position where it is disengaged and both slide and barrel can be removed.
Models C/D, D, E, and R, described below, disassemble in the same manner. Only one specimen of the Mod. C has been examined by the author and this was found (to his surprise) to have 5 grooves, right hand twist, one turn in ca. 12.0 inches and land width of 0.087 inch. Other models have six grooves.
Modele C/D-This is a more recent addition to the M.A.B. line, having been brought out in
1950. Serial numbering started at No. 1. The pistol is in current production.
Modele D-This is essentially a Mod. C pistol with a longer barrel. It presently is made in both 7.65 and 9 mm. Short (.380) calibers. External dimensions are the same for both calibers.
Production of this model began in September 1933. Serial numbering started at No. 10,730 and had reached No. 114,690 by October 1945, at which time the series numbering reverted to No. 50,001.
Modele E-This is a 6.35 mm. pistol of post-World War II design and has been manufactured since March 1949. Serial numbers started at No. 1. This pistol is considerably larger than either Mod. A or Mod. B (of the same caliber), in fact it is slightly longer than the 7.65 mm. Modele C. It has a longer and somewhat more streamlined grip than any M.A.B. pistol previously made. The magazine capacity is 10 rounds, whereas in the earlier 6.35 mm. models it was 6 rounds.
Modele R „Curt'-The R models come in several calibers. The Modele R „Curt' is somewhat larger than the Mod. D, but is of the same general construction and takes the 7.65 mm. ACP cartridge. The marked difference is the addition of an external hammer (present on all R models). As to the form of hammer, there are variants. Some have a solid hammer of the spur type while others have the ring type. Some of the R models have lanyard rings and others do not. Manufacture started in July 1951 and still continues. Serial numbers are said to have started at No. 621.
Modele R Long-This Modele R uses the French service cartridge designated as the 7.65 mm. Long. Production started in 1950, with serial No. 1, and still continues.
Modele R 9 mm. Parabellum-This is like the other members of the R model, but is chambered for the German 9 mm. Parabellum cartridge.
Modele F-In 1950 a .22 caliber model was added and given the designation Modele F. This model could be had with different barrel lengths. Factory literature states that lengths of 95, 152, and 185 mm. are available. Actually barrel lengths of 68, 113, and 172 mm. have been found on specimens examined in the author's laboratory. Another source, quoting factory records, gives the barrel lengths available with introduction dates and beginning serial numbering as follows: 105 mm., production began February 1951, serial No. 301; 153 mm., production began April
1951, serial No. 1; 173 mm., production began July 1950, serial No. 338.
Why the first to be produced should have the highest number and the last should have the lowest is a bit strange!
„Le Chasseur' Modele-This is a still more recent model in .22 caliber, appearing in 1953. It is an external hammer version of the Modele F and has a very elaborate and fancy grip, designed to fit the hand. One specimen has been measured and found to be 185 mm. in length with a barrel length of 113 mm. As this was No. 37 it is presumed that serial numbering started at No. 1.
Data given by the manufacturer relating to dimensions, weights, magazine capacities, etc., are summarized in Table 36.
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