1872 Swiss revolver
Swiss Army service revolver, later adapted to centerfire.
The Swiss Army adopted the Model 1872 revolver as its standard sidearm. This weapon, also known as the Ordonnanzrevolver 1872 or revolver d'ordonnance modèle 1872, was later improved into the Model 1872/78 version. Belgian manufacturer Pirlot Frères produced about 600 of these revolvers.
Both the Model 1872 and the 1872/78 could fire in single action or double action. A rod was used to eject spent cartridges individually. Their design closely resembled the French military MAS 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne revolver. The 1872 model used 10.4mm (.41 Swiss) rimfire ammunition.
In 1878, Switzerland adopted the 10.4mm centerfire cartridge for its new Model 1878 revolver. Most existing Model 1872 revolvers were then converted to use this new ammunition, becoming the Model 1872/78.
The Model 1878 was built specifically for centerfire rounds. Its mechanism employed the Warnant system, featuring a rebounding hammer that Lieutenant-Colonel Rudolf Schmidt modified. Unlike the Model 1872, it lacks a loading gate; instead, the cylinder chambers are aligned with an ejector rod. Waffenfabrik Bern manufactured these revolvers in Switzerland. After 1882, the Schmidt M1882 service revolver replaced them.
- Model
- 1872
- Type
- Service sidearm
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Manufacturer
- Pirlot Frères (Belgium)
- Quantity produced
- Approximately 600
- Cartridge
- 10.4mm (.41 Swiss) rimfire
- Action
- Single action and double action
Lore & Background
The Model 1872 revolver operated in both single action and double action, with empty cartridges individually ejected by an ejector rod. It was very similar in design to the French military MAS 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne revolver. The 1872 revolver used 10.4mm (.41 Swiss) rimfire cartridges.
In 1878 the Swiss adopted the 10.4mm centerfire for their new Model 1878 revolver, and most of their 1872 revolvers were adapted to this cartridge and named the 1872/78 model. The Model 1878 was chambered specifically for a centerfire cartridge. Its mechanism is the Warnant system with a rebounding hammer modified by Lieutenant-Colonel Rudolf Schmidt. In contrast with the Model 1872, it has no loading gate but is designed to index the chambers of the cylinder with an ejector rod. They were manufactured in Switzerland by Waffenfabrik Bern. After 1882, they were replaced by the Schmidt M1882 service revolver.
Reader's Guide
The Model 1872 revolver represents an early Swiss adoption of a metallic-cartridge service sidearm, notable for its Belgian manufacture by Pirlot Frères in limited numbers. Its design closely paralleled the French Chamelot-Delvigne revolver, reflecting shared European military thinking of the period. The later adaptation to centerfire ammunition as the Model 1872/78 demonstrates the Swiss Army's pragmatic upgrade path, extending the service life of the original rimfire weapons. The subsequent Model 1878, with its Warnant system and Schmidt-modified rebounding hammer, marked a shift to domestic production at Waffenfabrik Bern. Though replaced after 1882 by the Schmidt M1882, the 1872 series established a lineage of Swiss service revolvers that influenced later designs. Its legacy lies in its role as a transitional arm, bridging rimfire and centerfire technologies, and in its limited production run that makes it a collectible piece of Swiss military history.
Did You Know?
- Approximately 600 Model 1872 revolvers were manufactured in Belgium by Pirlot Frères.
- Most Model 1872 revolvers were later adapted to use 10.4mm centerfire cartridges and renamed Model 1872/78.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 1872 Swiss revolver?
It is a military service sidearm that the Swiss Army adopted as its standard revolver, known in German as the Ordonnanzrevolver 1872 and in French as the revolver d'ordonnance modèle 1872. Roughly 600 units were produced for Swiss military use.
Who manufactured the 1872 Swiss revolver?
The Belgian company Pirlot Frères was responsible for building the weapon, delivering approximately 600 revolvers to the Swiss Army as its designated sidearm.
What cartridge does the 1872 Swiss revolver use?
The original 1872 model is chambered for the 10.4mm (.41 Swiss) rimfire round. The later 1872/78 revision moved to a centerfire cartridge while keeping the same basic action.
How does the 1872 Swiss revolver relate to the French MAS 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne?
The Swiss design closely mirrors the French revolver's layout, and both share the ability to fire in single-action or double-action mode. Spent cartridges are removed one at a time with a dedicated ejection rod on both models.
What is the 1872/78 Swiss revolver?
Adopted in 1878, it is an improved variant of the original 1872 that updated the ammunition system to centerfire while retaining the single/double-action mechanism and individual-rod ejection. It represents the final evolution of that particular Swiss sidearm line.
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