Chamelot-Delvigne M1873
Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne · Pistol · Discontinued · 1873
Also known as: Revolver Mle 1873, MAS 1873, French Model 1873 Revolver
Overview
The Chamelot-Delvigne M1873 is a French double-action service revolver adopted by the French Army in 1873. Chambered for the proprietary 11mm Mle 1873 black-powder centerfire cartridge, it features a solid frame, a six-round cylinder, a half-round half-octagon barrel, and a removable sideplate for easy maintenance. Issued to non-commissioned officers, cavalry troopers, and gendarmes, the robust Mle 1873 remained in French service through both World Wars in auxiliary roles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1077 g (38.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Barrel Length | 115 mm (4.53") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 245 m/s (804 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 343 J (253 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Bright |
Calibers
- 11mm Mle 1873 · primary — also known as 11mm French Ordnance, 11x17.8mmR, 11mm Mle 1873 Revolver
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Solid Frame, Removable Sideplate, Lanyard Ring, Checkered Walnut Grips, Half Round Half Octagon Barrel
Variants
- Chamelot-Delvigne M1874 — Officer Model
Service history
Operators
- French Army · adopted 1873 · as Revolver Mle 1873
- French Navy · adopted 1873 · as Revolver Mle 1873 de Marine
- French Gendarmerie
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 348,672 · Production years: 1873-1886
Approximately 334,784 Army revolvers produced 1873-1886, plus roughly 13,888 Navy models made 1877-1886.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Chamelot, Delvigne
Discontinued: 1887
Notes
Left in its bright, in-the-white finish on the Army model; the contemporary Mle 1874 officer's variant has a lighter fluted cylinder and a blued finish.
Background
The Mle 1873 was deliberately left unfinished in the white so that a soldier could re-oil bare steel in the field without worrying about blueing wear; its rugged simplicity kept it on hand in French depots and auxiliary units for nearly seventy years.