Type: Semiautomatic pistol
Produced: 1922-1934
Caliber: 6,35 mm Browning (6,35×16 mmSR/.25 Auto)
Action: Blowback
Trigger: Single action
Safety: Thumb lever (frame)
Magazine: 7 rounds
Sights: Rear, open sight fixed, V notch; Front, blade shape fixed
Grooves: 6 grooves, right-hand twist, one turn in 18″ (455 mm)
Barrel length: 3.48″ (88,5 mm)
Overall length: 6.08″ (155 mm)
From 1913 to 1969, Manufrance produced and sold its Le Français pistol in several calibers and versions. Sold mainly in France, its main market was the general French public but also used by certain officers of the French army (during the phoney war) and the municipal police.
The gun is one of the first that works only in “double action” (or DAO for Double Action Only). That is to say that pressing the trigger systematically generates cocking and unhooking of the firing pin.
The barrel is fixed by pin at the front and maintained at the rear by a spring-loaded lock, operated by a lever on the right side of the weapon, which allows when is released, the raising of the barrel for the introduction of a cartridge, and the raising being ensured by a leaf spring acting as a trigger guard, the barrel is also released automatically when the magazine is withdrawn.
The Policeman is a variant of Modèle de Poche (basic model) with an elongated barrel aimed at official markets and which was used by ONF (Office National des Forêts/National Forestry Office) agents.
The first gun of this caliber made in France.
In 1928 a Military model, chambered for the 9 mm Long Browning cartridge, appeared, in the hope of a military contract, but although the French Army purchased some for trials, it was not adopted.
According to Cadiou and Richard, the Le Français was a standard issue sidearm for some officers of the French Criminal Investigation Department.
Variants of Le Français besides the Policeman 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 Français-Champion (France – Pistol Selective mode DAO /SA – 6,35 mm Browning/.22 Long Rifle)
Manufrance “Le Français” Type Arméé (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. He also patented the Gaulois French ‘palm-squeezer’ repeating pistol in 1893.
Credits:
Author’s knowledge;
SMITH, W. H. B. – The Book of Pistols and Revolvers. 4th ed. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Stackpole Company, 1960;
HOGG, Ian V. – The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World’s Firearms. London: Quarto Publishing Limited, 1978. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 78-56305. ISBN: 089479-031-5;
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Fran%C3%A7ais_6,35_mm/7,65_mm/Mod%C3%A8le_Arm%C3%A9e
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