Filled the French / German hole in the collection: MAB-D

[Trepang]

Yesterday I posted a pic of my WWII handgun collection and mentioned I was in the market for a few I was missing, specifically a French MAB-D.

After a little advice and encouragement from so_mustangs, I decided to make an offer on a MAB-D rig I had been watching.

It's about an 80% condition MAB-D made during the German occupation and marked with a Wa251 Nazi Waffenamt. Comes with two WWII mags and a WaAD20 marked holster.

Not perfect - no museum piece. It has a small crack in the right grip and it shows 80+ years of wear and tear but as far as I am concerned, that's just character and part of its history.

For about two years I have been looking for a pre-occupation MAB-D but finally gave up on that unicorn and decided Nazi marked MAB-D would have to do.

Finding one as a complete rig was also important to me. I have to have an original holster, two magazines (if applicable) and lanyard (if applicable) for all my MilSurp sidearms. Tracking down an authentic holster and mag would have been a feat in itself.

Here she is....

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Sweet. I’d be tickled …as you seem to be.

 

[Trepang]

Sweet. I’d be tickled …as you seem to be.

Thanks - I am excited about this one for some reason. Probably one of the lesser known and lesser valuable MilSurps but I have been wanting one for a couple of years. Anxious to get this one.

 

[mawkie]

Not so sure about the lesser valuable part, these have been steadily moving up in market value for some time now. That's a very nice example with a mid range SN. Grips are better than most with some of the obligatory shrinkage that is a trademark of this pistol.
I had been on the hunt for one for you but nothing nice came along up to now. You did better than I could scrounge. And as a rig to boot. Congratulations!

 

[Trepang]

Not so sure about the lesser valuable part, these have been steadily moving up in market value for some time now. That's a very nice example with a mid range SN. Grips are better than most with some of the obligatory shrinkage that is a trademark of this pistol.
I had been on the hunt for one for you but nothing nice came along up to now. You did better than I could scrounge. And as a rig to boot. Congratulations!

Thanks - I had been watching it for awhile. It had been listed since Nov 23 and hadn't sold despite a nearly 35% reduction in price. Took a chance and made an offer, they counter-offered meeting me halfway so I jumped on it.

 

[somd_mustangs]

On reflection that holster may be pretty uncommon, they only made about 10000 WaAD20-marked pistols.

 

[Trepang]

On reflection that holster may be pretty uncommon, they only made about 10000 WaAD20-marked pistols.

 

[mawkie]

As to pre-occupation, unicorn indeed. I finally managed to find one after a loooooong search. Like FN 1922s, easier to find an occupation built example!

 

[calicojack]

OP very interesting and thanks for sharing. Until recently I never thought much about French-built arms. What do you think about the quality of this pistol? Actually, the Walthers I have are French-built come to think of it, and they are pretty solid.

 

[Trepang]

OP very interesting and thanks for sharing. Until recently I never thought much about French-built arms. What do you think about the quality of this pistol? Actually, the Walthers I have are French-built come to think of it, and they are pretty solid.

You're very welcome - I have not received it yet so I can't speak to what I think of it yet. Additionally, there doesn't appear to be much info out there in the form of books, articles and YouTube videos on the MAB-Ds.

My goal is to have a rifle and sidearm from all the major WWII allied and axis powers. With adding this MAB-D, my want list is down to a German P-08 Luger, a Russian T-33 and to fill the German PPK hole, I'd like a Crown-N, Third Reich Police issued one.

As for the French, I have a two pre-occupation MAS-36 rifles. A 1939 with a mismatched bolt and an early, all matching 1940. They have actually become one of my favorite MilSurp rifles. Simple, rugged and I am the limiting factor on their accuracy.

 

[somd_mustangs]

OP very interesting and thanks for sharing. Until recently I never thought much about French-built arms. What do you think about the quality of this pistol? Actually, the Walthers I have are French-built come to think of it, and they are pretty solid.

In general they are high-quality in machining, fit & finish - except for the grips. Whatever material they chose, Colt must have consulted with them on it for their 1950's-1960's Gummint Model's - they're shrink-o-matics (which also promotes cracking at the screw holes). The design of the MAB-D right grip leaves a real thin part covering the back side of the mag release. That thin piece is often broken off or cracked.

 

[mawkie]

For French military handguns look for Gene Medlin & Jean Huon's French Service Handguns 1858-2004. Found a copy up on Amazon right now for $45.00. Jean also collaborated with Gene on The French 1935 Pistols: A Concise History which covers the 1935A and 1935S models.
Then for rifles it's an easy pick: Ian McCollum's Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles, 1866-2016. A new copy will set you back $98.00. Does a very good job of covering most everything.

 

[Trepang]

For French military handguns look for Gene Medlin & Jean Huon's French Service Handguns 1858-2004. Found a copy up on Amazon right now for $45.00. Jean also collaborated with Gene on The French 1935 Pistols: A Concise History which covers the 1935A and 1935S models.
Then for rifles it's an easy pick: Ian McCollum's Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles, 1866-2016. A new copy will set you back $98.00. Does a very good job of covering most everything.

Thanks, I appreciate the info. Just ordered the handgun book.

 

[Trepang]

Got her home after shipping and the 7-day wait. Couldn’t be happier with it.

 

[mawkie]

Hopefully this isn't your last French pistol. It's a neat niche as you'll find when Jean's book arrives. Should give you plenty of inspiration. I love that they're pretty much undiscovered to a large degree.