Gun Digest 2011. Dan ShidelerЧитать онлайн книгу.
FIGURES AND COSTS
The Saint-Etienne arsenal manufactured 325,885 Model 1873 revolvers (including 67 pre-production guns) by 1884. 176 of these revolvers were rebuilt in 1884, using salvaged components.
When, in 1877, the French Navy abandoned their former Le-faucheux Model 1870 in favor of the 1873 revolver, this particular version was delivered blued, for improving its resistance to salt water. A total of 12,868 guns in the Navy configuration was delivered from 1877 to 1886. Many of them were still in service during World War II.
The 1873 service revolvers were charged to the Government from 41,30 Francs (about $8.26) in 1884, to 62,96 Francs (about $12.59) in 1886.
After World War II, this writer purchased a brand new second-hand example around 1952 at 1000 Francs (about $4 USD). They are now much more highly prized than that in Europe. Currently, as legal antiques, they are worth 1000 Euro ($1450 USD) in the same condition! As for the rarer Navy models marked with the anchor, if they retain their original blue finish, you may have to pay up to 2000 Euro ($2900 USD)!
1874 CHAMELOT-DELVIGNE FRENCH OFFICERS’ MODEL
In 1874, while the army was testing the first 67 production model 1873 troopers’ revolvers, the Saint-Etienne arsenal released the new, more lighter and compact “Officers Model of 1874.”
Basically, the action was the same as the M1873’s, but the cylinder was fluted and slightly shorter; the overall length was reduced by one inch (8.58 inches instead of 9.68 inches); the barrel was shorter (4.33 inches instead of 4.48 inches); the sights were improved; and the trigger pulls were smoother. Moreover, the guns were now blued, with the action components light yellow heat-treated. In short, it was now a gentleman’s handgun intended for general distribution among all French Army officers.
From the practical standpoint of the user, the “V” notch was slightly more opened and deeper than on the original 1873 version for troopers, and the front sight bead was .01 inch smaller.
In single action, the trigger pull was now in the 7 lbs. range but, in double action, it was similar to that of the 1873 model, as officers were also riding horses and facing the same dangers as basic cavalrymen.
Two current handloaded cartridges for 25-meter shooting with .450" caliber commercial lead round balls, a small cardboard wad and 13.8 grains of Swiss black powder No. 2.
If one translates these improvements into reality at the shooting range, given equal skill, the officer was quite advantaged comparatively to the private, a condition which was perhaps not much democratic but which did preserve the hierarchy.
This writer had the privilege to own and use, with original Gevelot commercial cartridges, a mint 1874 revolver in 1954. In single action, the trigger pull was perfectly clean at approximately 6 lbs. and, at 25 meters (28 yards), the gun was able to group all impacts in the 7 ring of the international “P50” target (7.87 inches diameter). Shooting double action (approximately 15 lbs. pull) at a row of five Olympic silhouettes at the same range, the gun was pleasant to use, with a oneinch trigger stroke, but much slower than a modern Colt or Smith & Wesson revolver. The recoil was negligible.
In the hands of modern competition shooters, off-hand scores are in the 90/100 range (4-inch diameter bull), using handloaded ammunition.
Inside the grip, the key which is activated to relax or bend the mainspring.
FRENCH SERVICE REVOLVERS: SPECIFICATIONS
French Service Model of 1873
Manufacturer: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne
Year of manufacture for test specimen: 1876
Caliber: 11 mm (.44) French Revolver Model 1873
Cylinder capacity: 6 shots
Length overall: 9.68 inches
Total height: 5.75 inches (at stock ring pin axis)
Thickness: 1.77 inches (at cylinder)
Empty weight: 43.7 oz.
Loaded weight: 47.20 oz.
Barrel length on test specimen: 4.48 inches
Rear sight: fixed “V” notch .08 inch wide at top and .02 inch deep on frame
Front sight: bead type of .09 inch diameter on barrel
Height of rear sight top above the hand: 1.89 inches
Trigger pull: Single action: 8.8 lbs. / Double action: 15.4 lbs.
Safety devices: Double action: safety notch on hammer
Frame material: steel
Finish: polished white
Action type: double action Chamelot-Delvigne 1871/1873 system (patents
29664 dated 11/21/1871 - 31924 dated 02/15/1873
32848 dated 06/30/1873) - fixed firing pin
French Service Model of 1874
Manufacturer: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne
Year of manufacture for test specimen: 1875
Caliber: 11 mm (.44) French Revolver Model 1873
Cylinder capacity: 6 shots
Length overall: 8.58 inches
Total height: 5.75 inches (at stock ring pin axis)
Thickness: 1.77 inches (at cylinder)
Empty weight: 35.6 oz.
Loaded weight: 39 oz.
Barrel length on test specimen: 4.33 inches
Rear sight: fixed “V” notch .11 inch wide at top and .04 inch deep, on frame
Front sight: bead type of .08 inch diameter on barrel
Height of rear sight top above the hand: 1.57 inches
Trigger pull: Single action: 7 lbs. / Double action: 16.3 lbs.
Safety devices: Double action: safety notch on hammer
Frame material: steel
Finish: blued with trigger and hammer light yellow heat treated
Action type: double action Chamelot-Delvigne 1871/1873 system (patent
29664 dated 11/21/1871 - 31924 dated 02/15/1873
32848 dated 06/30/1873) - fixed firing pin
PRODUCTION FIGURES AND COSTS
From 1875 to 1885, the total military production model was 31,920 guns, at a maximum price (approximately $12.64 USD) in 1875 and a minimum Francs, or $8.67 USD, in 1880.
In this connection, I had to pay 25,00 Euro exceptional sample in 1954, while it would least, 1500 Euro ($2175 USD) now. Remember, European values.
A less ambitious sample may cost,these 1200 Euro (approximately $1,740 USD).
The N-Frame S&W Revolver
BY PAUL SCARLATA
PHOTOS BY JAMES WALTERS AND BUTCH SIMPSON
Ever since I first became interested in firearms (no, I’m not going to tell you how long ago that was!) I have associated certain periods in history with particular firearms. For example, when I think of the Thirty Years War in Germany (1618-1648) the firearm that comes to mind is the matchlock musket. Nor can I discuss the American Revolution (1775-1781) without mentioning Daniel Morgan’s Virginians and their long Rifles. When the Napoleonic Wars (1804-1815) are the subject, I envision red coated infantry marching in formation with flintlock Brown Bess muskets, while the American Civil War (1861-1865) is exemplified