Reichsrevolver Model 1879
German Ordnance Consortium · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1879
Also known as: Reichs-Commissions-Revolver, Modell 1879, M1879 Reichsrevolver
Overview
The Reichsrevolver Model 1879 was the first standardized service revolver of the unified German Empire, a robust solid-frame, single-action, gate-loaded design produced by a consortium of German arsenals. Chambered for the powerful rimmed 10.6mm German Ordnance cartridge, it is notable for an unusual frame-mounted manual safety catch - rare on a single-action revolver - and for having no ejector rod attached to the gun, which made unloading slow. It served as the standard German sidearm until the adoption of the Luger P08, then continued with rear-echelon troops into the First World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1300 g (45.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 345 mm (13.58") |
| Barrel Length | 183 mm (7.20") |
| Action Type | Single Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 340 J (251 ft·lbf) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 10.6mm German Ordnance · primary — also known as 10.6x25mmR, 10.6mm Deutsche Ordonnanz, 11mm German Service
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Solid Frame, Gate Loading, No Ejector Rod, Lanyard Ring
Variants
- Reichsrevolver Model 1883 — Short Barrel
Service history
Operators
- Imperial German Army · adopted 1879 · as Reichs-Commissions-Revolver M1879
- Imperial German Navy
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901)
- Herero and Nama War (1904-1908)
Production
Estimated total produced: 450,000 · Production years: 1879-1908
Roughly 450,000 units across the M1879 and M1883 variants, built by a consortium including Erfurt, Spangenberg & Sauer, Mauser, Dreyse, Haenel and V.C. Schilling.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Discontinued: 1908
Notes
Sourced weight (approximately 1300 g) and overall length (345 mm) are higher than some quoted estimates. The shorter M1883 variant has roughly a 117 mm barrel and weighs about 900 g. Bullet weight, muzzle energy, and primer type are estimated from the cartridge's .44 Russian lineage.
Background
The Reichsrevolver has no ejector rod attached to the gun at all - to unload, the soldier pulled the cylinder pin and pushed spent cases out one at a time, while a separate ejector rod rode in a sheath on the holster. Its plain, archaic, robust look owes much to its derivation from the Smith & Wesson .44 Russian cartridge.