Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original French Modèle 1873 M Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm double action revolver manufactured at Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne and dated 1878. This is the naval issue variation, identified by the Mle 1873 M barrel marking and anchor marking at the base of the grip. Serial number 1736 is repeated throughout the observed serialized components, and the revolver retains its original bright steel finish, matching parts, excellent bore, and strong overall mechanical condition aside from a weak trigger return spring.

This 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.

The Chamelot-Delvigne Modèle 1873 was the first double action service revolver adopted on a large scale by the French Army. Manufactured at Saint-Étienne from 1873 to 1887, with an "Officer" model beginning production in 1874. Although replaced by the Model 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. 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.

While developed for ground forces, there were some issued to the French navy, which were mostly identical to the Army version, except for some early contracts. These were marked Mle 1873 M on the top of the barrel, and stamped with a Naval Anchor proof on the bottom of the grip. These were made in significantly lower numbers, and exposed to a harsher environment, which makes them far more scarce and desirable on the collector's market.

This example is a naval issue variation and is marked on the top of the barrel:

Mle 1873 M

The M suffix denotes the Marine configuration. At the base of the grip is the corresponding naval anchor marking.

The right side of the frame beneath the cylinder is marked:

Mre d'Armes
Saint-Étienne

The left side of the barrel is dated:

S. 1878

indicating manufacture at Saint-Étienne in 1878.

The serial number:

1736

appears on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder, trigger, hammer, and cylinder base pin. The observed serialized components therefore match throughout. Numerous smaller components are additionally marked with the assembly number:

R / 36

The revolver retains its original bright steel finish rather than a later applied blue or refinish. The surface has developed a light gray patina with scattered staining and minor peppering, but there is no extensive heavy corrosion or deep pitting noted. The markings remain crisp and well defined.

The checkered wooden grip panels are in very good condition with attractive aged color and only light handling wear. No major cracks, chips, or repairs are visible. The lanyard ring remains present at the base of the grip and moves freely without deformation. A braided leather piece is presently attached to the ring.

The action operates in both single and double action with good cylinder indexing and lockup. The principal mechanical issue is a weak trigger return spring. When operating the revolver in double action, the trigger does not reliably return forward on its own and must be manually pushed forward before the action can be cycled again.

The cylinder base pin can be withdrawn normally, allowing removal of the cylinder for cleaning. The loading gate remains present and functional, and the ejector rod operates correctly during manual inspection.

The bore is in excellent condition with a mirror bright interior and crisp lands and grooves. It shows very little visible wear, fouling, or oxidation. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical and bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its Mle 1873 M naval designation, 1878 Saint-Étienne date, anchor marking, matching serial number 1736, repeated R / 36 assembly markings, original bright steel finish, excellent bore, and well preserved grips, this is a strong example of the French naval Chamelot-Delvigne service revolver. The weak trigger return spring, light surface staining, minor peppering, and attached braided leather piece are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a French naval arms, Chamelot-Delvigne, Modèle 1873, Saint-Étienne, or advanced 19th century military revolver collection.

Specifications of MAS model 73

Year of Manufacture: 1878
Maker: Saint-Étienne Arsenal (MAS)
Model: 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne Revolver
Length: 240 mm (9.5 inches)
Barrel length: 115 mm (4.5 inches)
Finish: Bright Steel
Weight (empty): 1.04 kg
Cylinder: 6 cartridges
Ammunition: 11 mm Mle 1873 (11x17mmR)
Rifling: 4 right-hand grooves
Operation: Double Action / Single Action
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the MAS 1873

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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

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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.