Reichsrevolver Model 1883
German Ordnance Consortium · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1883
Also known as: Reichsrevolver M1883, Modell 1883, Dreyse Reichsrevolver M1883, Officer's Model Reichsrevolver
Overview
The Reichsrevolver Model 1883 was the shorter-barreled service revolver of the unified German Empire, a solid-frame, single-action, gate-loaded six-shot revolver developed as a more compact successor to the longer M1879. Chambered for the powerful rimmed 10.6mm German Ordnance cartridge, it carries the same robust frame-mounted manual safety lever and the same arrangement with no ejector rod attached to the gun, which made unloading slow. Collectors call it the officer's model; it served alongside the M1879 as a standard German sidearm until the Luger P08 replaced it, then lingered with rear-echelon and security troops into both World Wars.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1050 g (37.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 310 mm (12.20") |
| Barrel Length | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Action Type | Single Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 204 m/s (669 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 354 J (261 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| 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, Frame Mounted Safety Lever
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Imperial German Army · adopted 1883 · as Reichsrevolver M1883
- Imperial German Navy
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901)
- Herero and Nama War (1904-1908)
Production
Production years: 1883-1908
Built by a consortium of German arsenals including Erfurt, Franz von Dreyse, the Suhl consortium (Spangenberg & Sauer, Haenel, V.C. Schilling) and others; produced alongside the M1879.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Discontinued: 1908
Notes
Barrel length is the standard 127 mm (5 in) and overall length 310 mm per militaryfactory; weight about 1050 g. Bullet weight, muzzle energy, and primer type are estimated from the cartridge's .44 Russian lineage. The frame-mounted safety lever sits on the left side of the frame.
Background
Like the M1879, the M1883 has no ejector rod attached to the gun at all - to clear the cylinder, a 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 short barrel and frame-mounted safety lever made it the handier, officer-favoured version of an already archaic design.