French SACM 1935A
 

Nothing exciting but was lucky enough to pick up this decent example of a French weapon pressed into Nazi service during the 2nd world war.

Hard to find the French 7.65mm Long cartridge, but can be made from 32 S&W Long (having a lathe helps!). I always liked the looks of it - Almost has the look of a Neuhausen. :thumbup:

Does yours have the painted finish or did the Germans have it blued???

It has the painted finish which in surprisingly decent shape

Not just almost, it's pretty much a miniature P210. Designed by Charles Petter, and would probably have been a huge success if the French had been smart enough to choose 9x19, instead of 7.65mm Long.

If allowed, the French will always do it their way.

I have seen values all over the place on this pistol.
I think i overpaid but i didn't want to miss it. Dont come across these often IMHO.

Definitely. One can only assume that there was a lot of national pride involved, and maybe a few handshakes as well. The caliber was part of the specifications in the trials, which probably made it difficult for other manufacturers to compete with established designs.

That's not to say that this is a bad pistol. Quite the opposite IMO, and I think it could have been a home run in .380. Or even better: Beefed up to take the 9mm, which would have made it just about identical to the SIG 210.

I would say it's the other way around. Sig bought Charles Petter patent. The P 49 is a beefed up and improved M 1935A.

Their way = The wrong way. :evilgrin:

They were cheap back in the 90's because you couldn't get ammo.
(And because of the marvelous black paint finish.)
Wish I'd picked one up then.
Indeed, in 9mm these pistols could have gone somewhere.

The MAS38 on the other hand is just inexplicable. It's like they got half way through the design and just stopped.

Imagine touching that barrel after emptying a magazine!

I picked this one up for $450 and I think I overpaid for it. Any opinions?

You did fine... I paid considerably more for mine, and I think your's is nicer.

On a similar vent... Anyone remember the "Minitel"? This was the "French Way" in 1982 which eventually competed directly with the Internet and Email. They debated for years about whether to allow Email to transit between the Minitel system and the rest of the world... Oh well... It was kind of France's 7.65mm to the rest of the world's 9mm...

I haven't looked lately, but I believe the going rate in that condition would be well north of $600. You did good. :thumbup: