Technically, the United States of America’s big 250th birthday has just passed us, with the July 4 holiday a few days back. But that hasn’t stopped the onslaught of commemorative guns for sale, which will still be for sale even when the food coma from the barbecue has passed! And if you want something that you can enjoy shooting for years to come, maybe all the way to the 300th birthday, the Manurhin MR73 Liberty might be what you’re looking for. High-end wheelguns @ TFB: Wheelgun Wednesday: The Rare, Budget-Minded Manurhin MR93 TFB Review: Spohr Club 3.0 Revolver – Big Engineering, Compact(-ish) Size Wheelgun Wednesday: A Colt Python Jeremiad Wheelgun Wednesday: German STP LODUR Revolver Wait - isn’t Manurhin a French company?Right away, if you know anything about revolver manufacturers, you’re saying to yourself: “Manurhin is a French company, not American, so why are they selling revolvers to celebrate our milestone?” … and you’d have a point. But as their post on The Social Network Formerly Known As Twitter says, France was right there with America during the Revolutionary War:“Introducing the Manurhin MR73 Liberty, a revolver crafted to honor 250 years of American independence and the pursuit of excellence.“Here's a piece of history many people don't know: the majority of muskets and flintlocks used by the Continental Army during the Revolution were made in France - many just 30 kilometers (20 miles) from where Manurhin revolvers are crafted today.“As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the MR73 Liberty pays tribute to the alliance, craftsmanship, and pursuit of excellence that helped shape our nation's history.” Good point indeed. Although Hollywood and even your high school textbooks might forget about the French helping the American rebels, the reality is that England’s traditional Continental opponent played a big part in their downfall in the Revolution. That included not just the massive amount of firepower built in French arsenals (the Charleville musket, in particular), but also direct military support from infantry and naval forces. In particular, French troops were a major part of the Siege of Yorktown, which forced the British to end the war. Some shooters might think it’s cheeky for a European company to join in on the birthday celebration, but hey, the French earned it and helped pay for American freedom with their own countrymen’s blood. A familiar faceThe new Manuhrin revolver has a very familiar face, as it’s based on the practically eternal MR73 platform. This revolver design first came to prominence in the early 1970s as a hard-hitting sidearm for law enforcement and tactical units, especially in the hands of France’s GIGN anti-terrorist squad. The MR73 has served in protecting freedom worldwide for 50 years. Although this is a service revolver, each gun in this series is hand-fitted for precision-fit parts, and that translates down to match-grade performance on the range (and when the chips are down in the real world). Manuhrin uses premium ordnance-certified steel, with a cold hammer forged barrel, and designs its trigger to be adjustable for both single-action and double-action modes. This all drives the price up, but you’re getting high quality for your money. The MR73 Liberty detailsThis revolver doesn’t re-invent the wheel, then—it’s just some new make-up on that familiar face. Specifically, the heavy-profile barrel comes with engraving that celebrates America’s birthday. As per their description:“Built on the legendary MR73 platform, each revolver is hand-crafted in Saint-Bonnet-le-Château with the uncompromising precision that defines Manurhin. The Liberty edition elevates that heritage with a series of exclusive features, including a first-ever 4” heavy-profile barrel and an unfluted cylinder, delivering enhanced balance, stability, and a distinctive silhouette.“Engraved with the word “Liberty”, drawn from the iconic phrase “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” in the Declaration of Independence, this model also features the historic coat of arms of Saint-Bonnet-le- Château.”Unlike other gaudy commemorative models, though, this one wouldn't stand out from the crowd if seen from afar. It looks like a handgun made for real-world use, not something you’d stash away in a safe or in a glass display.Of course, it is chambered in .357 Magnum and can also handle .38 Special. It weighs 38 ounces unloaded, with a 5.6-inch sight radius. It all sounds fun and fine, but when it comes to actually buying one, there are two complications. First off, Manurhin says they will only make 100 of these revolvers for the global market, and that means you’d better act fast if you want one. Secondly, the MSRP for these revolvers is $5,099; that means you’d better have a lot of spare money if you want one. Surprisingly, that’s still a lot less than Manurhin’s 50th anniversary version of the MR73, if you see a new one that’s still listed for sale.If you want the Manurhin MR73 Liberty, you can connect with a dealer through the Beretta USA website here.All photos: Beretta USA