Le Français (pistol)

Lore & Background

Development of the Le Français began in 1912 under Etienne Mimard, head of Manufrance. The patent for the first model (Modèle E) was obtained on August 6, 1913, with number 472.505, and sales started in 1914 under the name 'Le Français'. The pistol was produced from 1913 until 1969 in a variety of calibres.

The pistol is loaded through a tip-up barrel; after the first shot, it loads from the magazine. However, the first shot can only be loaded into the barrel because there is no way to manually pull back the slide. The trigger is double action only, making it the first pistol to function solely in double action.

The Le Français was mainly sold in France, primarily to the general public but also to some officers of the French Army during the Phony War, and to the French municipal police. Various models were produced, including the Modèle E, Franco, manumodèle, Type Policeman, Type francais-Champion (with selective DAO/SA), Type ARMEE (in 9 mm Browning Long), Type Français civil, Type Français 50, and Type Français 7,65.

Reader's Guide

The Le Français holds a significant place in firearms history as the first pistol designed to function solely in double action, a feature that influenced later self-defense handguns. Its tip-up barrel mechanism eliminated the need for a manually operated slide for the first shot, simplifying operation for civilian users. The pistol's long production run from 1913 to 1969, spanning both World Wars, reflects its enduring popularity in France. It was adopted by French municipal police and some army officers during the Phony War, indicating official recognition despite its primary civilian market. The variety of calibres and models, including the selective-fire Champion variant, demonstrates Manufrance's effort to cater to different users. The Le Français remains a collectible example of early 20th-century French firearms engineering, noted for its unique operating system and double-action-only mechanism.

Did You Know?

• It was loaded through a tip-up barrel, with no way to manually pull back the slide.
• The patent for the first model (Modèle E) was granted on August 6, 1913.
• Production ran from 1913 to 1969 in calibres including 6.35 mm, 7.65 mm, and 9 mm Browning Long.