This video details the British Ballester Molina pistol, a variant contracted by the British government during World War II from HAFDASA in Argentina. Approximately 8,000 units were produced between 1942 and 1944, identifiable by a secondary 'B' prefix serial number. The contract likely involved steel bartering and US Lend-Lease supplies. Some pistols were issued to SOE agents or resistance groups, while others remained surplus. These unissued pistols were later acquired by InterArms in the 1950s and exported to the US. The video also notes the application of British proof marks in 1955 due to a new law, visible on the featured example. The information is primarily sourced from Alex Gherovici's monograph.
This video provides a detailed overview of the Ballester-Molina pistol, an Argentine firearm developed as a more economical alternative to the Colt 1911A1. It discusses the pistol's design, its production history from 1938 to 1955 by HAFDASA, and the name change from Ballester-Rigaud to Ballester-Molina. The video also highlights its adoption by various Argentine military and police forces, and notably, the 8,000 units purchased by the UK for Special Operations Executive during World War II, including details on the British contract serial numbers.
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