MAB D were made by Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne starting in September of 1933 constructed on the same principles as the Browning 1910/22. There were two different types a military version and commercial version and both versions had excellent polish and bright blue finishes. The commercial version sold well in Europe and in the United States.
After the Fall of France in 1940 the Germans continued production of the pistol for the German Army and would be marked with Waffenamt acceptance stamp .. EagleWaA251 .. starting with serial number 47,000 to 97,000.
From records shown it seems that 1 to 31,000 were made from 1933 to 1939 and begining in September of 1939 to June 1940 serial numbers 31,000 to 47,000 were made for the military. Some of these approximately 700 to 800 went to the French Navy and are marked with an engraved horizontal anchor with the shank towards the muzzle on the right front slide, reported serial numbers for these are 32129 to 33526.
Takedown procedures:
http://www.gunsworld.com/french/mabd_man1_us.html
Patrick