French Unique

This is a rare example of a very interesting pistol. This is the French Unique 17 a 7.65mm (.32 ACP) weapon that contained nine shots, is 720 grams unloaded and has a barrel length of 3.07 inches (78mm) and an overall length of 8.3 inches (210mm) . Manufacture d’Armes des Pyrennees Francaises (MAPF) had been producing a Ruby type pistol since 1928. These pistols were normally to be carried in the same holster that the Pistolet Automatique de 7 millimètre 65 genre "Ruby” used called the Etui modèle 1916, or in other holsters that were made for other European small frame semi-automatics. (912)

This gun may be obtained with a C&R License

In 1928 the company started to produce a civilian type pistol based upon the Pistolet Automatique de 7 millimètre 65 genre "Ruby” but of much superior materials and workmanship that it was later adopted by the French military during the early period of World War II (1939/40) calling it the Pistolet Automatique “Unique” Modèle 17. This pistol was made up to Fall of France on June 22, 1940 and later during the German Occupation. After the departure of the German Occupation Forces and the end of the Second World War, MAPF resumed production of a new type of Unique pistol called the Pistolet Automatique “Unique” R17 for various government agencies which was basically the same as the pre-war models but with an exterior hammer.

A French Ministry of War letter states that 18,000 of the Unique 17 pistols were procured before the surrender on 22 June 1940. As with the MAB Model D, the German military kept the Unique 17 in production with no changes to the design. Around 36,000 of the Unique 17 were produced for the German military. Later in the war, the Germans had the pistol modified with an external hammer and a curved grip frame. This was designated the Kriegsmodell and 20,000 were produced. The German Kriegsmodell had Nazi acceptance proofs.

These weapons were supplied to the French National Police (Police Nationale, formerly called the Sûreté Nationale), [remember the famous Inspector Cleauseau] until the adoption of the Manurhin MR73 in 1973 and Manhurhin MR88 F1 Revolver in the mid 1980’s. Since 1951, the French police received more than 102,000 of these pistols with the last order in March 1998 of 640 pistols. Many are still being held in reserve for national emergencies.

Some of these pistols were also sent to the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية‎ … Al-Mamlakah al-Maghribīyyah) to arm the Moroccan National Police Force (Sûreté Nationale du Maroc) and Royal Military Police Force (Gendarmerie Royalé du Maroc). These were marked on the right side tang of the frame behind the grip with a Crescent over a Pole sometimes referred to as the Palm Tree by some collectors.

It is believed that iconography of living things is forbidden by orthodox Islam, so they use a stylized palm/date tree as a mark. There are others that interpret the proof differently but all agree that it represents weapons of the Moroccan government.

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LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.