Original Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly interesting French Modèle 1874 d’Officier Chamelot-Delvigne revolver, manufactured at the Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne in 1887 and later fitted with an engraved silver presentation plaque naming Gerald Merlin as the recipient of a shooting prize.

The plaque, mounted to the left grip, is engraved:

OFFERT PAR LE MINISTRE DE LA GUERRE
PRIX DE TIR
GERALD MERLIN

This translates approximately as:

Presented by the Minister of War
Shooting Prize
Gerald Merlin

The identity of the recipient is especially intriguing. A British sports shooter named Gerald Eustace Merlin, born in Athens in 1884, competed extensively in the 1906 Intercalated Games and the 1908 London Olympics. He won the single shot trap event in 1906 and also earned a bronze medal in double shot trap. He additionally competed in several pistol and rifle events. Olympedia

The name, period, and shooting connection make it quite plausible that this revolver was presented to that Gerald Merlin, although we do not presently have documentation directly linking this specific revolver to the Olympic marksman. The attribution should therefore remain a strong possibility rather than a certainty.

The revolver is the officer’s version of the French Chamelot-Delvigne service revolver. The Modèle 1874 differed from the standard Modèle 1873 in several respects, most visibly its blued finish, fluted cylinder, and slightly shorter barrel. Otherwise, the two designs are closely related mechanically.

The right side of the frame is marked:

M're d'Armes
S't Étienne

The top of the barrel is marked:

Mle 1874

and the side of the barrel is marked:

S. 1887

indicating manufacture in 1887.

The revolver bears matching serial number:

N 35989

on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, trigger, hammer, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin.

Numerous smaller components, as well as the front of the cylinder, are additionally marked with assembly number:

J / 89

The matching numbered major components make this a very attractive original example with no obvious evidence of replacement parts.

The original blued finish remains unusually well preserved overall. The most noticeable finish loss is on the barrel and along the sides of the frame, likely from long term holster contact. There are only scattered areas of oxidation and no major abuse or heavy corrosion.

The checkered wooden grips remain in very good condition and retain strong checkering with relatively little damage. The left grip carries the engraved shooting prize plaque that gives the revolver its particular historical interest.

Mechanically, the revolver functions in both single and double action. Cylinder indexing and lockup are good. The only issue noted is a weak trigger return spring, which sometimes prevents the trigger from moving fully forward after dry firing.

The cylinder arbor pin can be removed normally for disassembly, the loading gate is present and functional, and the ejector rod operates correctly.

The bore is in excellent condition, remaining bright with crisp lands and grooves. There are only a few small spots of oxidation, which appear more consistent with age and storage than heavy firing.

The lanyard ring remains present and shows normal finish wear.

The Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 and Model 1874 were among the first centerfire cartridge revolvers formally adopted by the French Army. The Model 1873 was primarily intended for enlisted and noncommissioned personnel, while the Model 1874 was the officer’s version.

Both used the 11mm French service cartridge and featured a robust solid frame, side loading gate, and double action mechanism. The Model 1874 was produced in smaller numbers than the Model 1873 and is generally encountered with a blued rather than bright polished finish.

Although superseded by the Model 1892, these revolvers remained in French service for decades. Examples were still in use during WWI, and older revolvers continued to appear in reserve and secondary service into the WWII period.

This is an especially desirable example because of the combination of unusually strong original blue, matching numbered components, excellent bore, and the engraved presentation plaque naming Gerald Merlin. If the recipient can ultimately be confirmed as the noted British Olympic and Intercalated Games shooter, the revolver would have an exceptional additional layer of sporting history. Olympedia

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1887
Serial Number: N 35989
Caliber: 11mm Mle 1873, approximately 11x17.8mmR
Barrel Length: 110mm / 4.33 Inches
Overall Length: Approximately 240mm / 9.5 Inches
Finish: Blue
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Rifling: 4 Right Hand Grooves
Action: Double Action / Single Action 

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.