Danish 1865/97 Revolver
Kronborg Geværfabrik · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1897
Also known as: M.1865/97, 1865/97, 11mm Danish Ordnance Revolver, Lefaucheux-Francotte M1865 conversion
Overview
The Danish 1865/97 is a six-shot, solid-frame, double-action service revolver produced by converting Denmark's original Model 1865 Lefaucheux-Francotte pinfire revolver to centrefire ignition. Undertaken at the Kronborg Geværfabrik arsenal in 1897, the conversion chambered a uniquely Danish 11mm ordnance cartridge, added a fixed trigger guard and locked the earlier folding trigger in place. It served as a reserve sidearm of the Danish armed forces, issued mainly to artillery and naval units rather than frontline infantry, remaining nominally in service until 1946.
Specifications
| Barrel Length | 130 mm (5.12") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11mm Danish Ordnance Revolver M1865/97 · primary — also known as 11mm Danish, 11.45mm Danish, .45 Danish Ordnance
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Features: Solid Frame, Six Shot Cylinder, Fixed Blade And Notch Sights, Added Trigger Guard, Loading Gate
Service history
Operators
- Royal Danish Army · adopted 1897 · as M.1865/97
- Royal Danish Navy · adopted 1897
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 952 · Production years: 1897-1899
Conversions of existing Model 1865 revolvers: 850 in 1897 and a further 52 in 1899; sources cite roughly 952 converted overall.
Origin
Country of origin: Denmark
Designer: Georg Christensen
Discontinued: 1899
Notes
Converted from the 1865 pinfire pattern, the first revolver adopted by the Danish military. Of roughly 1,000 original revolvers, 850 were converted in 1897 with a further 52 in 1899. The barrel is marked 'KRONBORG GEVAERFABRIK'.
Background
When Denmark modernised its first military revolver it did not buy new guns — it retrofitted the 1865 pinfire Lefaucheux-Francottes to fire a peculiar home-grown centrefire cartridge built around a wooden core in a nickel case, keeping the antique wheelguns in artillery and navy service into the 1940s.