Make: Manufacture D’Armes Des Bayonne (MAB) during the German occupation of France

Model: D

Serial Number: 80977

Year of Manufacture: 1941-1944

Caliber: 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP)

Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol

Markings: The left of the slide is marked "PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE CAL 7.65 / MAB BREVETE MODELE D". The right of the frame is marked "80977", "MAB" and with an eagle/WaA251 waffenamt. The chamber is marked "MAB / Cal 7,65 PT" with an eagle clutching swastika. The bottom of the slide is marked "77".

Barrel Length: 4”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the slide. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration, and Condition: The grips are two-piece black checkered hard rubber with smooth borders and "MAB" logos. There is scattered light handling wear and scuffing. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering is generally well-defined. The grips show slight shrinkage and warping (common for this model). Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original, worn areas show treatment with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 20% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is on the left slide flat. There is some other scattered finish with most areas worn to white. The worn areas show treatment with cold blue, some areas are going to a light patina. There are some minor nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fair-Good condition (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The safety will disengage when the trigger is pulled. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 9-round magazine.

Our Assessment: The MAB Model D was used in France by the police, customs and the military both before and after WWII. It was an enlarged version of the Model C, which was inspired by the FN Model 1910/22. After the war, its external muzzle bushing release latch was replaced with an internal bayonet type requiring the muzzle bushing to be pushed in while it was turned. The Model D was MAB’s most successful pistol until the advent of the PA-15 in 1966. This particular example was produced during the German occupation of France, made sometime between 1941 and 1944, and bears a German Eagle over “WaA251” Waffenamt code on the right side of the frame. Overall condition is Fair-Good, and when one considers the context in which the pistol was made and used, we're surprised it's not in worse shape. Most notably, the safety will disengage when the trigger is pressed. It’s fascinating to consider that while many local French officials made a certain peace with their German occupiers, others fled and kept fighting, and more than likely were at the wrong end of weapons crafted by their French brothers and sisters. WWII weapon history is dense, and there is no end to fascinating stories such as the story of the MAB Modele D. Please see our photos and good luck!