{"product_id":"original-french-mas-modele-1874-chamelot-delvigne-11mm-officer-s-revolver-presented-as-a-shooting-prize-to-gerald-merlin-dated-1887-serial-no-n-35989","title":"Original French MAS Modèle 1874 Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Officer’s Revolver Presented as a Shooting Prize to Gerald Merlin - Dated 1887 - Serial No. N 35989","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly interesting French \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModèle 1874 d’Officier Chamelot-Delvigne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e revolver, manufactured at the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacture d’armes de Saint-Étienne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1887\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and later fitted with an engraved silver presentation plaque naming \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerald Merlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as the recipient of a shooting prize.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plaque, mounted to the left grip, is engraved:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOFFERT PAR LE MINISTRE DE LA GUERRE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePRIX DE TIR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGERALD MERLIN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis translates approximately as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresented by the Minister of War\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShooting Prize\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerald Merlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe identity of the recipient is especially intriguing. A British sports shooter named \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerald Eustace Merlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olympedia.org\/athletes\/42373?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eOlympedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eblued finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, fluted cylinder, and slightly shorter barrel. Otherwise, the two designs are closely related mechanically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe right side of the frame is marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eM're d'Armes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS't Étienne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top of the barrel is marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMle 1874\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand the side of the barrel is marked:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS. 1887\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eindicating manufacture in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1887\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe revolver bears matching serial number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eN 35989\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon the barrel, frame, trigger guard, trigger, hammer, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumerous smaller components, as well as the front of the cylinder, are additionally marked with assembly number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJ \/ 89\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe matching numbered major components make this a very attractive original example with no obvious evidence of replacement parts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMechanically, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cylinder arbor pin can be removed normally for disassembly, the loading gate is present and functional, and the ejector rod operates correctly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lanyard ring remains present and shows normal finish wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel 1874 was the officer’s version\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerald Merlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olympedia.org\/athletes\/42373?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eOlympedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1887\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial Number: N 35989\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 11mm Mle 1873, approximately 11x17.8mmR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 110mm \/ 4.33 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: Approximately 240mm \/ 9.5 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinish: Blue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapacity: 6 Rounds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRifling: 4 Right Hand Grooves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Double Action \/ Single Action \u003c\/span\u003e\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":44941403717701,"sku":"ONSV26NCS168","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/24E98330-3A52-4649-976E-39E86729D801.jpg?v=1777483177","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-french-mas-modele-1874-chamelot-delvigne-11mm-officer-s-revolver-presented-as-a-shooting-prize-to-gerald-merlin-dated-1887-serial-no-n-35989","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}