MAS 1873 revolver
| French modèle 1873 revolver | |
|---|---|
Model 1873
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| Type | Service Revolver |
| Place of origin |
 Belgium
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| Service history | |
| In service | 1873–1945 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars |
French Colonial conflicts, Monegasque Revolution, First World War, Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designer |
Henri-Gustave Delvigne J. Chamelot |
| Manufacturer | Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne |
| Produced | 1873–1887 |
| No. built | 337,000 |
| Variants | MAS 1874 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.04 kg |
| Length | 240 mm |
| Barrel length | 115 mm |
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| Cartridge | 11 mm Mle 1873 |
| Caliber | 11 mm |
| Action | Double Action revolver |
| Rate of fire | 20–30 rounds/minute |
| Effective firing range | 50 metres |
| Maximum firing range | 300 metres |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder |
| Sights | Fixed front blade and rear notch |
The service revolver model 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne was the first double-action revolver used by the French Army. It was produced by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne from 1873 to 1887 in about 337,000 copies. Although replaced by the Modele 1892 revolver, it was nevertheless widely used during the First World War, and issued to reserve units in 1940. The Resistance made widespread use of it during the Occupation.
The model 1874, of which 35,000 were made, was an officer version. It differs from model 1873 by a lighter structure and a darker finish. Many civilians copies were made in France and Belgium.
Both the 1873 and the 1874 use a 11mm cartridge which proved to have an insufficient velocity. The weapons themselves were very reliable and resistant.
A Navy version was also produced. A more powerful cartridge was produced for this version, but production ceased and they turned to the regular ammunition when the stocks were depleted.
The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 clearly demonstrated the need for up-to-date equipment in war time. A great military tradition and esprit de corps can be defeated by superior training, and in the case of that war, artillery. After the war, both Germany and France continued to improve their military technology. However, neither side was convinced of the importance of pistols for field officers. The sword continued to be the symbol of authority for an officer on the battlefield all the way into World War I. European general staffs at that time were extremely conservative and pistols were sometimes grudgingly adopted as personal defense weapons with no practical offensive use. Even as pistols became more of a symbol of the officer, most preferred to privately purchase a smaller and more comfortable handgun instead of using a large standard issue revolver.
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Wikipedia