Pieper M1893
Anciens Etablissements Pieper · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1893
Also known as: Pieper Gas-Seal Carbine, Pieper Revolving Carbine
Overview
The Pieper M1893 is a Belgian gas-seal revolving carbine designed by the Liege gunsmith Henri Pieper. Chambered in 8x50mm Pieper, it feeds from a nine-round cylinder that cams forward against the breech of the barrel when the hammer is cocked, sealing propellant gases in a manner similar to the Nagant revolver. Roughly 350 were built in 1896-1897 and supplied to the Mexican Rural Police, some of which remained in circulation through the era of the Mexican Revolution.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2950 g (104.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 914 mm (35.98") |
| Barrel Length | 502 mm (19.76") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x50mm Pieper · primary — also known as 8mm Pieper, 8x50mm Pieper Carbine
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Cylinder
- Features: Gas Seal Cylinder, Forward Camming Cylinder, Stepped Ladder Rear Sight, Wood Full Stock
Service history
Operators
- Mexican Rural Police (Cuerpo de Policia Rural) · adopted 1896
Conflicts
- Mexican Revolution (1910-1920)
Production
Estimated total produced: 350 · Production years: 1896-1897
More than 350 units manufactured for the Mexican government
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Henri Pieper
Discontinued: 1897
Notes
The gas-seal system allowed a revolving long arm to avoid the gas leakage and velocity loss normally associated with the cylinder-barrel gap. The rear sight is a stepped ladder type graduated to 900 meters.
Background
To make a revolving carbine practical, Pieper adopted a gas-seal action in which the entire cylinder slides forward to mate with the barrel before firing, eliminating the flash and velocity loss of the cylinder gap and letting a repeating long arm run off revolver mechanics.