35-Round Horseshoe Magazine on a French Colt 32 Pistol (Video)

Here we have a French copy of a small Browning-designed pistol–with a 35-round horseshoe magazine! Caliber is 32 ACP.

The Union name is, as explained in the video, not terribly specific because there were a few different companies that made similar firearms under the brand name “Union.”

The gun itself (this French Union, that is) was made from around 1925 until the late 1930s. Some variations had selective fire (meaning they could be fired fully automatic), which is probably why someone dreamt up the exotic magazine featured in the video, and was patented in 1930. Full-auto guns eat ammo quickly, and the ability to carry 35 rounds without making the gun super huge made it a lot easier to handle (and conceal).

A loading tool was supplied with these magazines, and according to the commentary, that’s the only way you’ll be able to cram it full of ammo.

Pretty dang nifty, if you ask me.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.