Something fell into my lap (well, for money anyways).

Manufrance Le Francais, from somewhere between 1916 and 1940. Photos link to 1200x900 images.






Started to get artsy here...

With a "spiritual relative", the Beretta 950 (ca. 1959)

To give you an idea of the size of this tiny, tiny firearm. The shell in the previous photos was a 2 3/4" 12ga. This, is of course, my left hand.

The above was the culmination of about 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of shooting. Impromptu lightboxes rock :)


I say somewhere between 1916 and 1939 for a few reasons. One, the machining is very fine, which is something most likely not found post-war, and I don't believe the proof marks are post-war either. Two, there are no waffenampts or other Nazi marks, which would be indicative of occupation-era weaponry (1940 to 1944). The fit and finish, as it were, I think indicates an earlier build.

Regardless, I have shot the thing... one round, function checking.

Not bad for a gun that's, by estimate, somewhere between 67 and 91 years old, and was likely brought over to the states in a WWII soldier's pocket.