POTD: Semi Auto? Don’t You Mean DA? – The Mateba 6
Sam.S 12.14.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Mateba 6 Unica is an Italian-made semi-automatic revolver introduced in the 1990s, one of very few semi-auto revolver designs ever commercially produced. Invented by Emilio Ghisoni, it uses the recoil from firing to rotate its 6-shot cylinder and cock the hammer for fast follow-up shots. The barrel sits bottom-aligned with the cylinder, directing recoil force straight back to reduce muzzle flip. Available in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .454 Casull, a spring swap allows firing weaker .38, .44 Special, or .45 Colt ammunition. Its barrel and cylinder unit slides back and forth on a lower frame housing the grip and trigger. This unique mateba action cocks the hammer and turns the cylinder on the return stroke after each shot. Offered in matte blue or nickel finishes with multiple barrel lengths, the Mateba Model 6 Unica brings race-gun speed and accuracy to full power magnum revolver cartridges via its innovative semi-automatic design.
“Manufacturer: MatebaModel: 6 UnicaType: RevolverGauge: 357 magnumBarrel: 8 inch vent ribFinish: blueGrip: walnutManufactured 1999.”
Lot 7117: Desirable Mateba 6 Unica Auto Revolver. (n.d.-bv). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved December 14, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1034/7117/desirable-mateba-6-unica-auto-revolver.
