Make: Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM) during the German occupation of France

Model: 1935 A, Pistole 625 (f)

Serial Number: B8269A

Year of Manufacture: 1941-1944

Caliber: 7.65×20mm Longue

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol

Markings: The left side of the frame is marked with “Mle 1935_A”, a German Eagle over “WaA251” Waffenamt code, the serial number, “B8269A” over “S.A.C.M.”. The bottom of the slide is marked "69".

Barrel Length: 4 1/4”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a post on a base dovetailed into the slide. The rear sight is a square notch that is integral to the slide.

Stock Configuration, and Condition: The grips are two-piece black checkered hard rubber with smooth borders. There is scattered light handling wear and scuffing. There are some light nicks and scratches, mostly around the edges. The checkering is generally well-defined. There is a chip along the front edge of the right panel. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Black Enamel over Parkerize

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5-6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The enamel finish is thinning at most edges with some going through the parkerize as well. There is scattered wear in the enamel, most notable around the markings on the left of the frame. There are scattered scuffs and light scratching. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: 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 8-round magazine.

Our Assessment: Designed in the 1930s by Charles Petter, a former French Foreign Legion captain, and SACM engineer, the 1935A was brought to production after competing in trials set forth by the Commission d’Experiences Techniques de Versailles, and by 1939 was being delivered to the French Army. The pistol was ultimately in production from 1937 to 1950. 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 left side of the frame. Overall condition is Very Good, and when one considers the context in which the pistol was made and used, we're surprised it's not in worse shape. 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 1935A. Please see our photos and good luck!