POTD: An Exciting Flop – The Rhodesian Mamba Pistol
Sam.S 04.08.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Mamba was a semi-automatic pistol developed in the 1970s in Rhodesia, later produced in South Africa, and intended for military and police use. Designed by a team including American expatriate Joe Hale, it was the first semi-auto pistol made entirely of stainless steel. Production was outsourced to Viper Engineering in South Africa starting in 1977 due to the manufacturing complexity. The Mamba had features like an ambidextrous safety and high-capacity magazine. However, only a few hundred were ever made due to technical issues, likely from improper heat treatment and quality control problems. When South Africa’s arms embargo restricted exports, the manufacturing rights were sold to US company Navy Arms, which assembled a small number in the early 1980s before the project was discontinued. The Mamba never saw widespread success or adoption, hampered by its large size and caliber choices that were not preferred by military and police customers.
“initially designed in the late 1970s in Rhodesia as an ultimate combat handgun with much publicity, issues with production quickly led to the end of manufacture in Africa. Navy Arms purchased parts on hand and assembled more handguns, although the total number produced is believed to be less than 100. This example is engraved with the Navy Arms address on the left side of the slide and hand stamped with a “NA013″ serial number. Other features include satin stainless finish, 5″ barrel chambered in 9mm Parabellum, serrated ramp front sight, drift adjustable square notch rear, ambidextrous safety, single/double action, and wrap around 2-piece checkered black plastic grips. Housed in the matching 2-piece Navy Arms box. CONDITION: Very good, with some light toning and minor marks. Strong, bright bore. Good mechanics. Box has some light soiling and edgewear with one lid corner separating. Accessories: Box Barrel Length: 5″ Caliber/Bore: 9mm Para FFL Status: Modern Manufacturer: Navy Arms Model: Mamba Serial Number: NA013”
Lot 2554: (M) VERY RARE NAVY ARMS RHODESIAN MAMBA SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL. (n.d.). Invaluable.com. photograph. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/m-very-rare-navy-arms-rhodesian-mamba-semi-automa-2554-c-fa44cf2bc3.
