Modèle 1873 Revolver
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1873
Also known as: Revolver Mle 1873, Chamelot-Delvigne 1873, MAS 1873
Overview
The Modèle 1873 was the first double-action revolver adopted by the French Army, based on the Belgian Chamelot-Delvigne system. Manufactured by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne from 1873 to 1887, it chambered the 11x17.8mmR black-powder cartridge and saw extensive service through World War I. Despite being officially replaced by the Modèle 1892, it was reissued to second-line and reserve units in 1940 and was widely used by the French Resistance during the German occupation.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1040 g (36.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Barrel Length | 115 mm (4.53") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 195 m/s (640 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 220 J (162 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Bright Steel |
Calibers
- 11mm French Ordnance · primary — also known as 11x17.8mmR, 11mm Mle 1873, 11mm Chamelot-Delvigne
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Solid Frame, Side Loading Gate, Manual Ejector Rod, Fluted Cylinder
Variants
- Modèle 1874 — Officer Lightened
Service history
Operators
- French Armed Forces · adopted 1873 · as Revolver Mle 1873
- French Gendarmerie
- French Resistance
Conflicts
- Franco-Tonkin War (1883-1886)
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 337,000 · Production years: 1873-1887
All production at MAS Saint-Étienne; remained in second-line service until 1945
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Chamelot-Delvigne (system)
Discontinued: 1887
Notes
Approximately 337,000 produced. The Modèle 1874 was a lightened officer's variant. Distinctive bright-steel finish (no bluing) was a French ordnance characteristic.
Background
Although officially obsolete by 1892, the Mle 1873 was pulled from arsenal storage in 1940 and pressed into service by reservists; many fell into Resistance hands and remained the most common French Resistance handgun of WWII.