Mab 32 caliber automatic pistol

Answer 1

MAB (Manufacture d'armes de Bayonne) was a major French arms manufacturer that finally closed in the 1980s. It produced a series of semi-automatic pistols from the 1920s until about 1980. Among these were a number of model chambered in 7.65mm/32 ACP. In general, the model designation will be on the left side of the slide. These are well-made and reliable pistols, and saw military action in WWII, North Africa, IndoChina (and Vietnam), Algeria, and other areas of French influence.

Among the 32 ACP models most commonly encountered in the US are the Model C and the Model D. Both of these were first made in the 1930s and continued to be made after WWII (although with revised designs). Essentially the same design, the smaller Model C was intended for civilian use, while the larger 9-round MAB D was intended primarily for police and military use. During the German occupation of France during WWII, the Germans continued of these weapons, now for use by the German military; some 50,000 MAB Ds were made during the occupation. MAB pistols used by the Germans will have German acceptance marks (WaffenAmt) stamped into the frames and barrels. (Unfortunately, since fake WaffenAmt are known to be added to raise the price of many weapons, including MABS, it is important to always make sure the model version and serial number are appropriate for a weapon used by the German military. I have seen MAB D pistols made after WWII with WaffenAmt -- obvious fakes, but only if you know what to check for.)

After the end of German occupation, the MAB D was produced for French military, police, and civilian use, while the MAB C was again only for civilian use. The French military began phasing the MAB D out in the early 1950s with the arrival of the new 9mm model PA-1950 (aka MAC 50), shifting most to use by federal and local law enforcement.

Starting the in the 1950s, large numbers of a number of models of new and surplus MAB pistols were imported into the US by WAC in Los Angeles [initially, Western Arms Corp, then the name changed to Winfield Arms Corp, since there was already a Western Arms Corp in New York]. The new pistols often were stamped "made in France for WAC" and had "WAC" rather than "MAB" printed on the grips.

An unusual pistol is the MAB C "extended grip", commonly called a MAB C/D. It is a MAB C slide and barrel mounted on a MAB D frame, made possible because the two pistols were essentially variants of the same design and had parts in common. These were made in the 1950s by MAB, with most appearing to go WAC. They resemble a Spanish Ruby-type pistol, with a short slide/barrel and a long grip.

Both the MAB C and MAB D were also made in .380 ACP.