Good info and more complete than other DOM tables I've seen. However, I'm pretty sure there's a typo in the upper Rigaud section. Note the gap from S/N 5673 to 5874. I'm guessing the range for 1941 Rigauds should actually be 5674-7090.

I have Ballester Rigaud S/N 5757 so I know there's at least one manufactured in the above gap.

Also, to repeat what has been posted numerous times, Ballester serial numbers are located in two places only; underneath the slide and on the lower portion of the left side of the mainspring housing. Any other digits are rack or issue numbers.

 

You mean like this 1948 B-M?

First time I've noticed the Circled F between the slide serrations...

 

Thank you for sharing this data. There are some mistakes that are worth to point out. In 1942 HAFDASA started to mark their caliber .45 pistols with the trademark Ballester-Molina but kept marking their caliber .22 pistols with the trademark Ballester-Rigaud. This happened at the time when serial numbers in the 8000 range were used. This list applies to all firearms manufactured by HAFDASA and not only to pistols. Assuming that they are correct, the statements that no firearms were made in the year 1956 and that production in 1957 was undertaken by Armotor were previously unknown. Can the book by Mr. Celso Juiz be purchased in the USA?

 

Indeed must be a typo,I went back and double checked. Info was copies correctly from said book.Oddly enough i has the correct number of guns made (4315) if one does the substraction.
Oh well!
Okrana

 

Did find some data I do not agree with, but overall interesting. Not aware if book is available in US, but it can be bought at DISTAL LIBROS in BA.
Okrana

 

Is there more unknown or interesting information about the Ballester Molina pistols in the book? Thank you again for sharing.

 

As I get deeper into the book, I'll share more interesting bits of info, if found.
Okrana

 

Thanks.

 

Ran across the following info re dates of manufacture and serial number ranges for BR and BM pistols. If not previously disseminated, it may be of use.
YEAR SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1938 1-100
1939 101-1357
1940 1358-5673
1941 5874-7090
1942 7091-10000

All above are Ballester Rigaud.

1943 10001-13972
1944 13973-27196
1945 27197-40939
1946 40940-55576
1947 55577-64366
1948 64367-71651
1949 71652-73701
1950 73702-81100
1951 81101-95527
1952 95528-103824
1953 103825-106000
1954 106001-108000
1955 108001-110053
1956 NONE.
All above are Ballester Molina.

Assembled by Armotor, S.A.
1957 110054-113924.

Apparently Armotor,S.A. was a short-lived successor to Ballester Molina that assembled and sold left over parts and guns.
SOURCE:Las Armas Largas y Cortas del Ejercito Argentino, by Celso Juiz, Editorial Universitaria del Ejercito-Buenos Aires,Argentina 2017

Okrana

Ballester Rigaud 's data is still very confusing. I have got an original Ballester Rigaud 45 with S/N in the 41xxx range. So, according to it, my pistol should be from 1946, and with BR markings.

 

Where are you looking at your S/N?
If the marking is Ballester Rigaud, what's the serial number under the slide?

 

These necro-threads can be useful;. I missed this one the first time around. To which I will add a comment regarding one statement presented above:

Also, to repeat what has been posted numerous times, Ballester serial numbers are located in two places only; underneath the slide and on the lower portion of the left side of the mainspring housing. Any other digits are rack or issue numbers.

I do not believe the statement is accurate. All of the many Ballester-Molinas that I have examined that still have their original barrels also have the serial number stamped on the barrel over the chamber, and many (though not all) have it stamped also on the floor plates of their magazines. The number is clearly factory-applied, in exactly the same distinctive font, and (unless parts have been replaced) matches the s/n on the mainspring housing. It strains credulity to conclude that these are "rack or issue" numbers. On some of these guns, other numbers can be found that have other explanations --in particular the B-prefix British contract numbers, which ascend generally with the factory s/ns, but do not match the s/n, and do not correspond in sequence with the s/ns. This suggests that the British contract guns were produced concurrently with guns for the Argentine military, and to some extent were drawn at random to fill the British order.

M

 

The statement is correct, Ballester Molina SN are only found in two places. What is confusing you is that some forces also used the serial number as "issue" or "rack" number. Therefore, in some BMs you can find the serial number also as "rack" or "issue" (Navy, for example, used the SN as issue on their BMs). The "issue" or "rack" numbers may or may not have been done at the factory. They differ greatly in the font used and in the depth of the stamp from force to force.
Regarding the original barrels, they did not have the full serial number, but only the last three digits, stamped on the side of the link stub. See pictures.

 

Here is an example of an early Ballester Rigaud, original barrel. Serial number is 1321, only in frame and under slide. Rack number, 10169, on mag, right side of slide and top of barrel. No serial on barrel.

 

And here is the classic example of what causes confusion: a Navy Ballester Molina, with the serial number used also as 'rack'. But again, the factory serial is only found in the frame and under the slide. The other numbers are always rack and may or may not have been done at the factory.

 

And here is the classic example of what causes confusion: a Navy Ballester Molina, with the serial number used also as 'rack'. But again, the factory serial is only found in the frame and under the slide. The other numbers are always rack and may or may not have been done at the factory.

Do you have any authority for this?

M

 

Here’s mine: