{"product_id":"original-french-mas-modele-1873-chamelot-delvigne-11mm-revolver-dated-1884-matching-serial-no-j-22618","title":"Original French MAS Modèle 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Revolver Dated 1884, Matching Serial No. J 22617","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a very attractive and completely matching example of the classic French \u003cem\u003eModèle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm service revolver, manufactured at the \u003cem\u003eManufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne\u003c\/em\u003e and dated 1884. Serial number \u003cstrong\u003eJ 22617\u003c\/strong\u003e is present on the major numbered components throughout the revolver, while the original bright steel finish survives in protected areas beneath an appealing service patina. With an excellent bore, properly functioning single and double action mechanism, clearly legible arsenal and model markings, and considerable evidence of honest military use, this is an especially appealing example of France's first standard double action military revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdopted by France in 1873, the Chamelot-Delvigne \u003cem\u003eModèle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e represented an important step forward in French military handgun development. The solid frame, six shot, double action revolver was manufactured at the government arms factory at Saint-Étienne and chambered for the 11mm French ordnance cartridge. Its robust construction and straightforward mechanism gave the design an exceptionally long service life. Although eventually superseded in front line service by the \u003cem\u003eModèle 1892\u003c\/em\u003e, the older revolvers remained in French inventories through the First World War and were still encountered with reserve forces during the Second World War. Examples were also used by members of the French Resistance during the German occupation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example bears matching serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ 22617\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number is present on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder, trigger, hammer, and cylinder base pin. The matching numbers across these components are a particularly desirable feature on a military revolver that has survived well over a century, with no indication from the serial markings that these numbered components have been exchanged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right side of the frame retains its Saint-Étienne arsenal marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMre d'Armes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSaint-Étienne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right side of the barrel is dated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS. 1884\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eS\u003c\/strong\u003e denotes Saint-Étienne, while the date on the barrel is consistent with this revolver's 1884 production period. French \u003cem\u003eModèle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e barrels were marked in this format, although on revolvers that later returned to the arsenal for rebarreling, the date can instead indicate the replacement barrel. Serial number research places examples in the \u003cstrong\u003eJ 22,000\u003c\/strong\u003e range within 1884 production, supporting the original barrel date on this revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of the smaller components are additionally marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB \/ 17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have preserved this marking exactly as observed but have not assigned it to a particular inspector or production function without further documentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional markings include a:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ E\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003estamp beneath the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. This crowned \u003cstrong\u003eE\u003c\/strong\u003e is associated with inspection at the Saint-Étienne manufacture and is a correct marking for these French military revolvers. Additional circled letter markings, including \u003cstrong\u003e(R)\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e(T)\u003c\/strong\u003e, are present on the left side of the barrel, together with other inspection marks elsewhere on the revolver. French arsenal practice included letter markings associated with manufacture officials and controllers, but we have not assigned these particular letters to named individuals here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good and particularly attractive for a French military sidearm of this age. The revolver appears to have spent a considerable period exposed to moisture, the elements, or possibly prolonged storage in a holster, resulting in scattered peppering and light pitting. This is most noticeable toward the muzzle and at the rear of the frame adjacent to the grips. Fortunately, most of the important marked areas were spared the heavier surface deterioration and remain readily legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eModèle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e was originally finished in polished bright steel rather than being blued, and portions of that original bright appearance remain visible on this example. Other areas have developed darker oxidation staining and the naturally mottled patina expected from long military service and storage. The result is an honest and very appealing period appearance rather than the uniformly polished surface sometimes encountered on heavily cleaned examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wooden grip panels remain in very good service used condition. Their original checkering is still relatively well defined, although the wood has darkened considerably with age, handling, and absorbed oils. There are scattered scratches and several small areas of wood loss throughout, all consistent with long use. The lanyard ring remains present, rotates freely, and shows no obvious deformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing a bright interior with strong lands and grooves. There is only minor evidence of past fouling and light oxidation that has since been removed. Considering the exterior wear and military service evident elsewhere on the revolver, the condition of the bore is particularly noteworthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action functions well in both single and double action. Cylinder indexing is good and lockup is solid. The cylinder arbor pin can be withdrawn properly, allowing the cylinder to be removed in the normal manner for cleaning. The loading gate remains present and operates as intended, while the ejector rod also moves and functions correctly. These observations describe only the revolver's present mechanical condition and are not an indication that it has been inspected or approved for firing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors of classic adventure films may also recognize the Chamelot-Delvigne \u003cem\u003eModèle 1873\u003c\/em\u003e from the 1999 film \u003cem\u003eThe Mummy\u003c\/em\u003e. Brendan Fraser's character Rick O'Connell carries a pair of these distinctive French revolvers in shoulder holsters and uses them extensively throughout the film, giving an already historically important military revolver an entertaining connection to modern popular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003eJ 22617\u003c\/strong\u003e, correct \u003cstrong\u003eS. 1884\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel date, clear Saint-Étienne manufacture markings, numerous surviving inspection stamps, original bright steel visible beneath its mature patina, excellent bore, complete lanyard ring, and well functioning single and double action mechanism, this is an especially appealing example of one of France's most recognizable 19th century military revolvers. It would display particularly well in a French martial arms collection, a First World War sidearm display, a collection of early double action military revolvers, or alongside other European service handguns illustrating the transition toward modern military sidearms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications of MAS model 73\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1883\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Saint-Étienne Arsenal (MAS)\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne Revolver\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: J 22617\u003cbr\u003eLength: 240 mm (9.5 inches)\u003cbr\u003eBarrel length: 115 mm (4.5 inches)\u003cbr\u003eFinish: Bright Steel\u003cbr\u003eWeight (empty): 1.04 kg\u003cbr\u003eCylinder: 6 cartridges\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition: 11 mm Mle 1873 (11x17mmR)\u003cbr\u003eRifling: 4 right-hand grooves\u003cbr\u003eOperation: Double Action \/ Single Action\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the MAS 1873\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Modele 1873 was adopted by the French army as a service revolver for non-commissioned officers. The Modele 1874 Revolver d'Officier was the version issued to officers. The differences between the two models included the following: the 1873 was finished in the white, whereas the 1874 had a fluted cylinder and a blued finish. The 1873 and 1874 were the first center-fire cartridge revolvers adopted by the French army. They had solid-frame, side-ejection, double-action mechanisms. The pistols were manufactured by the St. Etienne armoury, which still continues to manufacture fine sporting arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design of the Chamelot-Delvigne revolvers became so popular that versions were adopted by the Belgian in 1871, Dutch, Italian, and 1872 in Switzerland with the Model 1872 Revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe caliber of these French pistols was 11x17.8mmR. The French round was actually 0.47 mm larger than its German counterpart. The German round could be loaded and used in the French pistol, but French rounds would not chamber in the German pistol. The cartridge had a pointed lead bullet weighing 11 grams. The case length was 17.8 mm, which was rather on the short side. Reloading this cartridge could take some patience due to the shortness of the case. Military specifications called for black powder loads, replaced by a mild smokeless powder in the early twentieth century. Standard muzzle velocity was around 550 feet per second.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder had a side-loading gate which pulled straight to the rear. The sight picture was a ball and v type and is easy to align. It could be difficult to stay on target double-action due to the stiffness of the action. There was certainly no danger of accidentally pulling the trigger double-action. Cleaning and disassembly were easy as the cylinder pin doubled as a screwdriver and all-purpose tool. Internal parts were finely machined and finished. The trigger, hammer, and several of the internal springs were straw-finished, a type of case-hardening hot oil finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe French pistols began their service with the French army in the late 19th Century and saw service all over the globe in French colonies. Many saw service in World War I when European armies finally realized how important pistols were in the trenches. The Chamelot-Delvigne finally ended its venerable service as a police sidearm in World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45935860514885,"sku":"ONAC26MAX16","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/FA06146F-22D6-4AC0-AD2A-1CB186704F60.jpg?v=1791233223","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-french-mas-modele-1873-chamelot-delvigne-11mm-revolver-dated-1884-matching-serial-no-j-22618","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}