Le Francais "Policeman"


History:

In order to offer a more accurate typ the the "pocketmodel" in 1922 the company put the model "Policeman" on the market.
This type differed from the "pocketmodel" just in the longer barrel and in a protection-cap around the firing pin at the rear end of the slide.
During production time this type got several minor changes like the "Modele dePoche". One of the most signifant among them was a magazine with a separate shell-holder at the bottom to carry the shell for the first shot, which was to be put directly into the barrel. This type of magazine then was offered for the "Modele de Poche" too.
The "Policeman" was sold with several kinds of finish as well:
- Nr. 826 modele standard
- Nr. 832 modele ameliore (= "enhanced")
- Nr. 838 modele de luxe
- Nr. 844 modele de grand luxe
The pistol was used by some police-forces, partly officially but mostly as private. Guns of this type especially were carried by officers of the criminal department, but not in that number, as the company intended to by giving the name "Policeman" to it. For a short period they were also given to some agents of the "Office National des Forets" (National Forest-Department).
The predicted sales-success did not appear too, but the production of these pistols was continued after both world wars like the "pocketmodel", up to the 1960ies. It still was added in the sales- catalogue of 1968 from the "Manufacture Stephanoise".

Technical Datas:

SYSTEM: blowback with DAO firing pin action
CARTRIDGES : 7+1+1
CALIBRE : .25 ACP
BARREL LENGTH : 88 mm , 6 grooves right hand twisting
WEIGHT EMPTY : 370 g
TOTAL LENGTH : 155 mm
TOTAL HEIGHT : 94 mm
TOTAL WIDTH : 24 mm
TRIGGER : DAO
SIGHT : fix
SAFETY : none
FINISH : blued
HANDLE : hard rubber