Manufrance Poche 802, 6,35 mm Browning (6,35x16 mmSR/.25 Auto)

Описание: Type: Semiautomatic pistol
Produced: 1913-1969
Caliber: 6,35 mm Browning (6,35x16 mmSR/.25 Auto)
Action: Blowback
Trigger: Double action only
Safety: Thumb lever, firing pin indicator
Magazine: 7 rounds, box single
Sights: Rear, fixed, U notch; Front, blade shape fixed
Grooves: 6 grooves, right-hand twist, one turn in 10.7" (270 mm)
Barrel length: 2.40" (60 mm)
Overall length: 4.37" (112 mm)

The 6,35 mm poche or pocket model was the original Le Français design. With an overall length of 112 mm (4.4 inch), it is easily concealable in pocket or purse. The firing pin is held in by a plug at the rear of the breech with a hole in its center through which the back of the firing pin protrudes when the trigger is pulled. The plug is retained by bayonette-type lugs. According to Doane, the earliest plug is “short and flat on top.” The most common plugs are round and have a flat rear surface that is checkered; later plugs extend a bit further from the rear of the gun and have a smaller area of checkering. After WW II the plug extends further to the rear and flares, and the flared portion is checkered around its circumference. The front sight is integral with the barrel, and the rear sight is integral with the slide. There are no slide serrations.
Early Poche models were available in four grades, from N.º 1 to N.º 4, with number 1 being the low-end unengraved model, and numbers 2 through 4 featuring increasingly elaborate engraving. All were blued. Later, with the advent of other models, each grade was given its own model number: 802, the standard model; 808, with improved finish, polished trigger guard, and minor engraving; 814, with nickel trigger guard, finely checkered grips, deluxe brilliant blue-black finish, and luxury engraving; and 820, the same as 814 but with further artistic decoration. In later years the model 802 was also offered in nickel finish. The model number is stamped on the barrel lug, visible when the barrel is tipped open. The serial number is stamped on the barrel, also visible only when the barrel is tipped open.
Late pistols are unmarked on the left side of the slide.
Early Le Français models have a grip frame with parallel sides and a magazine that is held in place by two short wings that fit into notches in the bottom of the frame. Intermediate models have a grip frame that is flared at the bottom rear, but still retains the floorplate magazine catch. Late models have the flared grip frame with a thumb-operated magazine release at the heel of the grip. The flared grip frame was almost certainly designed to accommodate the pin for the magazine release lever.
In 1939 a number 812 extra light model (modèle extra-léger) was introduced with an aluminum alloy frame. The barrel, barrel latch, slide, trigger guard and magazine release were chromed steel. The grips were mother of pearl. The extra light model weighed 245 grams (the standard model weighed 320 grams). There was also a model number 811 with a fluted barrel, “lightning” cuts on the top of the slide, and mother-of-pearl grip plates. Production was halted by the war, so these models are extremely scarce.
In 1965 four cooling fins were added to the breech of the Modèle de Poche. The plug in the end of the breech was enlarged slightly, but still retained the hole for the firing pin. The magazine was provided with a ring at the base to hold a spare cartridge to go in the chamber (like the type Armée - see below). The Poche with these features only appeared in the catalogue for two years.
According to Cadiou and Richard, the Le Français was a standard issue sidearm for some officers of the French Criminal Investigation Department.
Variants are:
Manufrance "Le Français" modèle E (France - Pistol DAO in 1913 - 6,35 mm/.25 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" Franco (France - Pistol DAO - 6,35 mm/.25 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" manumodèle (France - Pistol DAO - 6,35 mm/.25 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Policeman (France - Pistol DAO - 6,35 mm Browning/.25 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Français-Champion (France Pistol Selective mode DAO /SA - 6,35 mm Browning/.22 Long Rifle)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Armée (France - Pistol DAO - 9 mm Browning Long)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Français civil (France - Pistol DAO - 7,65 mm/.32 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Français 50 (France - Pistol DAO - 7,65 mm/.32 Auto)
Manufrance "Le Français" Type Français 7,65 (France - Pistol DAO 7,65 mm/.32 Auto)

Designed by Etienne Mimard (1862-1944), founder of Manufacture Française d'Armes et Cycles de Saint-Étienne, which would become Manufrance em 1947.

Credits:
Author's knowledge;
https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Franca...
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Le_Fran%C...)

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