What is this??

[Mr Pokeyman]

Can anyone tell me anything about this old gun? It is a M.A.C. semi-auto, Modele 1935 S MI or M1, Cal 7.65 L. I can't find a country of origin stamp on it. It appears functional with a thumb and grip safety. I think it is a neat looking little gun that needs a good cleaning. Sorry, I don't know how to make the picture appear.

 

[OFT II]

Sounds like a French M1935 which is indeed chambered for 7.65mm long. It was the service pistol of France prior to WWII. Hard to find ammo for.

 

[Texas Star]

There were two M-1935's,an A and another. 1935-S. One used a Petter slide design and resembles the later SIG-P-210, which also has the slide immbedded deeper in the frame than with Browning designs.Think CZ-75 in modern terms.

You have the 1935-S. It is an interesting, collectible gun that is a worthy part of history. But 7.65mm French Long is only available in collector quantities. You won't be shooting much of it!

The gun was replaced beginning in 1950 by the M-1950 in 9mm.

MAS abb. Manufacture d' Armes de St. Etienne, if I spelled that right. MAC is Manufacture d' Arms de Chatterault (sp?) Both were govt. arsenals.

Maybe someone else will post photos of the M-1935 A and S versions. I'm sure you can Search for them, too. France also kept large quantities of the old M-1892 8mm revolver in service alongside the newer autos.

 

[Cyrano]

As said above, it's a French service pistol, modele 1935S, from the mid 30s. They only made 1404 before WW II started, and the Germans didn't put it into production, as they did with the 35A. After the war, production started in earnest, and it stayed in use even after the adoption of the Modele 1050 in 9mm P. The production history is quite convoluted. Although blocky looking, the pistolt fits the hand well and has big sights for rapid sight acquisiton. The majority of them were Parkerized, but during the late 40s, when the demand was greatest, some were blued. Some were also black enameled, like the 1935As. The M1 in the markings means that the safety was modified to move in the same diretion as that of the 1935A, for uniformity and ease in training.

Gend Medlin and I wrote the book on them: The French 1935 Pistols, which is still available, I think, from some gun book sellers. We only had 1000 copies printed, and that they're still available says something about the popularity of French weapons.

7.65 French Long ammo is a real problem. You can make it by turning the rim off 32 S&W Long, cutting an extraction groove, and shortening it, but a lathe is required. Quite a few dealers in weird ammo have it in stock.

Here's the only picture I have of them. the 35A is on top, with an HSc in the middle and a 35S on the bottom.

 

[deadin]

Here's a larger picture of a SACM M1935A. Brass and ammo is available from Buffalo Arms and you can use 32 ACP dies for reloading (Sierra 85gr..308 RN work fine) I just started working up a load for mine and it is very pleasant to shoot. (Use a 30 Carbine shell holder)
(When I can put 5 out of ten within the 8 ring, two 10's, offhand at 50 ft. on the first trial, I like it!)

 

[Cyrano]

Finally took a picture of my PA 35S. It's made by SAGEM, and like most of the almost 10,000 SAGEMS it is black enameled over parkerizing. Few of the other makers parkerized their 35Ss.

 

[Issaouane]

Not a lot out there on these guns. I just recently came into possession of one, and am having a hard time getting info about it. The one I've got is a 1935 S M1, MAC-A36xx, which has the unfortunate habit of dropping the mag when the slide is released.

Anybody have any experience with that? Or know where I could pick up a copy of Cyrano's book?

Thanks!