Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 - Dan Shideler - Страница 8
ОглавлениеThe French service Revolver Models of 1873 and 1874
On the upper face of barrel, the model number marking.
BY RAYMOND CARANTA
Just as the Civil War has been called the major military event of the 19th century in the United States, the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 is considered in France to be the landmark for armament evolution during the last thirty years of that period.
As a matter of fact, for instance, 1870 marked the bridge between the muzzle-loading and breech-loading eras for military firearms. In this connection, if we consider handguns, immediately after the war, most cavalry departments shifted from traditional muzzle-loading horse pistols to the most up-to-date metallic cartridge revolvers.
FRENCH CAVALRY HANDGUNS BEFORE THE WAR
In the French cavalry, the handgun was considered, up to the war, quite as a secondary weapon, after the saber and the lance. It is for this reason that, in 1870, the “1822 T Bis” horse pistol, a flintlock single shot design converted to percussion in 1860, was still the basic service handgun.
It was a conventional side-lock single shot 69-caliber gun, 13.7 inches long and weighing 43 oz. with a 7.8-inch barrel. Officers were either armed with single shot flintlock “1822 T” horse pistols converted in 1840 to percussion (overall length 13.4 inches; weight 35 oz. with 7.8-inch barrel) or with the Officers Model of 1833 (same caliber; overall length 14.3 inches; weight 32 oz. with 7.8-inch barrel). However, most cavalry officers used personal handguns, such as the Lefaucheux 12mm pinfire revolvers.
Also, it can be added that, while the converted “1822 T” Officers pistols were only improved basic trooper handguns, the Model of 1833 was much closer to an aristocratic continental duelling pistol. Nevertheless, if we refer to 1855 French military literature (“Maximes, conseils et instructions sur l’art de la guerre.” Paris, Leneveu, Libraire – Editeur. 1855), our top brass did not rely too much on handguns: “…A pistol shot, if not fired at very close range, will miss 99 times out of one hundred; however, never rest the muzzle against the object aimed at, for fear of bursting the barrel….”
Right side view of the French 1873 service revolver. Note the loading rocking door, the solid round cylinder, the slotted field stripping latch, the rod ejector housing and, under the grip, the round lanyard ring.
BEYOND THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
After the Sedan disaster of September 2, 1870, which saw the capitulation of the Emperor Napoleon III, the National Defence Government, which became in charge of the war effort, was in urgent need of war materiel. Therefore it purchased, among others, many surplus guns of the American Civil War, resulting in the import of excellent, but obsolescent, single action muzzle-loading revolvers. When the peace was restored, most European Armies realized therefore that, for properly arming horsemen, it was time to adopt modern double action metallic cartridge revolvers.
So, in France, a Military Commission was placed in charge of selecting a new service model for general distribution, which was required to feature a solid frame. Among the miscellaneous guns tested were the new central fire Lefaucheux adopted by the Navy in 1870, together with special Galand and Chamelot-Delvigne prototypes. (See L’aristocratie du pistolet by Raymond Caranta and Pierre Cantegrit. Crépin-Leblond, Paris. 1997.) In the end, it was the Chamelot-Delvigne product that was selected.
Belgian J. Chamelot was a gunsmith residing in Liège and Henri Gustave Delvigne, a French Captain residing in Paris, was well known for his activity in the field of ballistics. The two united their efforts in 1862 and designed several revolvers covered by twelve patents by June of 1873. Most of these were pinfire guns, the double action Model 9 of 1864 having already being tested by the military in 1867.
THE CHAMELOT-DELVIGNE FOREIGN SERVICE REVOLVERS
The first successful revolver of the new solid-frame Chamelot-Delvigne line was the 10.4mm rimfire model, adopted by Switzerland on April 24, 1872. These guns were first made in Belgium for the Swiss Army by Pirlot Frères in Liège, in 1873. Later, they were converted into centerfire in 1878, at the Bern Waffenfabrik facilities in Switzerland.
After the French, the Italian Army adopted also a similar Chamelot-Delvigne design as their model of 1874, in service up to 1889. It was chambered in 10.35 mm centerfire, now called the “Italian service caliber” with a 177-gr. lead bullet at 735 fps).
THE 1873 CHAMELOT-DELVIGNE FRENCH CAVALRY MODEL
This is a superb solid-frame fixed-barrel revolver 9.68 inches long, weighing 43.7 oz. with a 6-shot cylinder and a 4.48-inch barrel of .44 caliber. Rifling is four right hand lands and grooves at a 13.78:1 pitch. The oval trigger guard is nicely shaped, the rod ejector being protected by a housing parallel to the barrel’s right side. The grip butt features a steel round cap fitted with a swivelling lanyard ring.
All components are individually marked with the revolver serial number, which is not a mere luxury, as they are not interchangeable without fitting. The gun can be entirely disassembled by hand, using the beak of the cylinder axis head as a key for releasing the side-plate lock screw.
In our opinion, the models of 1873 and 1874 are, from a mechanical standpoint, the finest of our French service revolvers.
THE FRENCH 11MM SERVICE AMMUNITION
The original loading consisted of a centerfire rimmed cartridge featuring a hollow base 179-gr. sharp pointed pure lead bullet propelled by 10 grains of black powder at a laughable 426 fps muzzle velocity for a muzzle energy of only 72 ft./lbs. If we compare with the .44 SW American loading of 1871 (180 grains bullet at 649 fps) intended for shooting in a top-break revolver, one wonders why a “solid frame” was required!
The hammer at the safety notch.
To remove the cylinder, depress the field stripping latch, with the ejector rod unlocked, and pull out the rod. With the loading door opened and hammer at the safety notch, the cylinder can be easily removed.
In front of the hammer, at the frame rear end, the rear sight “V” notch.
In the frame rear hump, on the left side, the side-plate slotted attachment screw.
On this detail view, above the cylinder pin, the ejector rod end fitting unlocked for extracting empty cases or removing the cylinder.
Obviously, French military engineers were later ashamed of such performance, as they increased the muzzle velocity to 623 fps in 1890! As a matter of fact, it is this later improved loading that was used during both World Wars.
SHOOTING THE 1873 SERVICE MODEL
With its circular grip, the gun – which balances at 42% of its overall length, under the cylinder rim, i.e. above the trigger with the hammer lowered – is very comfortable in the hand, as it is slightly muzzle-heavy, and points naturally.
The trigger lies a bit too far forward for double action shooting but is adequate for single action. However, the sights are too high at 1.57 inches above the hand and the “V” notch is quite narrow in relation with the bead for slow fire shooting at 25 meters.
Thanks to the grip rear hump, the gentle recoil is easily controlled. In fact, the only problem with this gun is its trigger pull (8.8 lbs. in single action and 15.4 lbs. in double).
Thanks to the fact that these Chamelot-Delvigne revolvers are now legally considered in France to be “antiques,” many people are using them, without licence, for competitive shooting, off-hand, at 25 meters (about 28 yards). As their only flimsy component is the trigger return spring, we now have French craftsmen who make spares, and as our modern shooters do not use their guns on horseback, such springs can be lighter than the originals, bringing the single action pull down to about 5 pounds, which is quite perfect!
THE ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS OF THE TIME
According to the “Shooting Regulations for Cavalry” of 1894 (“Règlement sur l’instruction du tir des troupes de cavalerie,” dated september 15, 1894), the shooting distances were 15 and 30 meters (49 and 98 feet) at circular targets of respectively 20 and 40 centimeters in diameter (8 and 16 inches). The larger target featured an internal 8-inch-diameter ring counting for two points and an outer one for one point.
At 30 meters, shooting was performed single action only (12 rounds) and, at 15 meters, both in single and double action (12 rounds each) for a total of 36 rounds. The larger targets were used at 30 meters only and the smaller ones, at 15 meters.
With scores reaching or exceeding 24/36, shooters were rated first class; at 12/36, they rated second class; and, under 12/36, third class. (Now, 115 years later, we shoot at 25 meters single action only, at the ISU international circular target featuring a 2-inch ten ring.)
JAMS AND COMPONENT FAILURES
The French 1873 cavalry revolver was quite a rugged gun for its time. Using the regular 1890 service ammunition, misfires were rare in single action, but return trigger spring breakages were quite common. In double action, to the contrary, firing pin spikes could occur and, more rarely, cylinder jams. The Cavalry manual instructions concerning combat use of the 1873 revolver gave the following advice (Manuel du cavalier – 15ème régiment des chasseurs. Belfort, 1876):
The Revolver: Its Use In Mêlée Same maintenance than for the Rifle; daily check of lock and ratchet. The revolver is a very efficient weapon in mêlée, but its use should be limited to very close range. Accordingly, the cavalryman armed with it must hold the saber in his bridle hand and use his revolver against a threatening opponent, an enemy out of reach, or gunners sheltered behind their cannons. Moreover if he is unhorsed, he can defend himself from infantry men…
PRODUCTION 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).
