PAF Sidearms Info Sought

MacMakarov · March 8, 2001, 12:39 PM

Any one out there know anything about the South Africa PAF side arms? Price, reliability, etc. Saw a 6.35mm and was rather curious about their history.

Steven Mace · March 8, 2001, 03:04 PM

MacMakarov, I believe you're refering to the Pretoria Arms Factory (P.A.F.) Junior chambered in .25 ACP. The P.A.F. Junior was manufactured in Pretoria, South Africa in the early to mid 1950's. The P.A.F. ia a Browning Model 1906 type blowback action, with the recoil spring mounted underneath the barrel. The safety located at the left rear of the frame intercepts the sear and in some pistols lifts a rod to lock the slide. The pistol is striker-fired. The barrel is retained by a single large lug fitting into a frame recess. The early production of the P.A.F. had a bad habit of shearing off the front face of the frame by the barrel lug upon firing during counterrecoil with the embarrassing effect of letting the whole slide assembly fly off the front of the gun. By the time the P.A.F. numbering had reached about 1000 none of the early style frames remained, and the following frames all seem to be of the late P.A.F type with thick frame webs eliminating the chance of frame shear during counterrecoil. It's believed that no more than 10,000 P.A.F. Junior's were manufactured. Depending on which version you're looking at, in excellent condition a P.A.F. Junior could be worth about $200-$300 with a slight premium added for those with a cocking indicator. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

MacMakarov · March 8, 2001, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the info, Steve. It was quite a big help. Think I'll take another look at the little bugger.

March 8, 2001, 03:04 PM	#2
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	MacMakarov, I believe you're refering to the Pretoria Arms Factory (P.A.F.) Junior chambered in .25 ACP. The P.A.F. Junior was manufactured in Pretoria, South Africa in the early to mid 1950's. The P.A.F. ia a Browning Model 1906 type blowback action, with the recoil spring mounted underneath the barrel. The safety located at the left rear of the frame intercepts the sear and in some pistols lifts a rod to lock the slide. The pistol is striker-fired. The barrel is retained by a single large lug fitting into a frame recess. The early production of the P.A.F. had a bad habit of shearing off the front face of the frame by the barrel lug upon firing during counterrecoil with the embarrassing effect of letting the whole slide assembly fly off the front of the gun. By the time the P.A.F. numbering had reached about 1000 none of the early style frames remained, and the following frames all seem to be of the late P.A.F type with thick frame webs eliminating the chance of frame shear during counterrecoil. It's believed that no more than 10,000 P.A.F. Junior's were manufactured. Depending on which version you're looking at, in excellent condition a P.A.F. Junior could be worth about $200-$300 with a slight premium added for those with a cocking indicator. Hope this helps! Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

March 8, 2001, 12:39 PM	#1
MacMakarov Member Join Date: February 7, 2001 Posts: 17	Any one out there know anything about the South Africa PAF side arms? Price, reliability, etc. Saw a 6.35mm and was rather curious about their history.

March 8, 2001, 03:14 PM	#3
MacMakarov Member Join Date: February 7, 2001 Posts: 17	Thanks for the info, Steve. It was quite a big help. Think I'll take another look at the little bugger.