Nagant M1878/1910
Fabrique d'armes Emile et Leon Nagant · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1878
Also known as: Revolver d'Officier Mle. 1878, Nagant M1883, Nagant M1886, .44 Nagant
Overview
The Belgian Nagant M1878/1910 was a solid-frame, gate-loaded double-action service revolver made by the Fabrique d'armes Emile et Leon Nagant of Liege, Belgium. Chambered for the 9.4mm Nagant cartridge, it was adopted by the Belgian Army as the officer's Model 1878 and, in a simplified trooper form, as the Model 1883, with later M1886 and M1910 variants following. It is distinct from the later and more famous Russian Nagant M1895 gas-seal revolver, sharing only the family name.
Specifications
| Overall Length | 260 mm (10.24") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 198 m/s (650 fps) |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9.4mm Nagant · primary — also known as 9.4x22R, 9.4mm Dutch, .44 Nagant
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Gate Loaded Cylinder
- Features: Solid Frame, Right Side Loading Gate, Removable Cylinder Arbor Pin
Variants
- Nagant M1883 Trooper — Military
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Army · adopted 1878 · as Revolver d'Officier Mle. 1878
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army · adopted 1883
- Brazilian Navy · adopted 1883
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Production years: 1878-1910
Produced in Liege by Nagant and under licence by the Suhl Consortium (Simson & Co.) in Germany for export; total unknown across the 9.4mm and 7.5mm variants.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Leon Nagant
Discontinued: 1910
Notes
Early export examples (around 3,000 for Brazil and Argentina) were single-action only; later Nagant and Suhl Consortium (Simson & Co.) production was double-action. The M1883 trooper used an unfluted cylinder versus the M1878's fluted cylinder. Many surviving 'Belgian Nagant' revolvers were actually German-made in Suhl for South American contracts.
Background
Leon and Emile Nagant entered the arms trade in 1867 as subcontractors building Remington Rolling Block rifles, and the international success of their M1878 service revolver launched the dynasty that later produced the famous Russian M1895 gas-seal revolver before Leon turned to building automobiles.