Manufrance Rapid shotgun (France)

The Manufrance Rapid shotgun was produced by the Manufrance (former Manufacture Francaise d’Armes et Cycles de St.Etienne) company of St.Etienne, France, between 1958 and 1980.

The Manufrance Rapid shotgun in police / riot configuration, which was sold in USA as the Harrington & Richardson Model 440

During its time it was widely exported to other countries, including the USA, where it was offered under several brands such as Stoeger, Harrington & Richardson, Marlin, and some others. Originally a sporting and hunting gun, it was also produced in several “combat” or “riot” configurations, primarily for law enforcement use. In France, it was used by national police and Gendarmerie Nationale (including the famous GIGN counter-terrorism unit), usually for riot control purposes, and in the USA, it also saw some police use.

The Manufrance Rapid shotgun in police / riot configuration, which was sold in USA as the Harrington & Richardson Model 440

The Manufrance Rapid shotgun is a fairly conventional manually-operated pump-action weapon. Available in several calibers such as 20, 16, and 12, it was produced in a variety of barrel lengths, configurations, and finishes. It was built upon a light alloy receiver. Breech locking is achieved by a tilting locking piece at the top of the bolt that engages the cut in the barrel extension. The sliding forend is connected to the bolt via a single action rod. The Manufrance Rapid shotgun uses a traditional tubular magazine, which can be loaded through the opening at the bottom of the receiver. Fired cases are ejected to the right via the ejection window. Manual safety is made in the form of a cross-bolt button located at the rear of the trigger guard. Shoulder stock and forend were made from wood.