MAS 1873 revolver

Lore & Background

The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 demonstrated the need for up-to-date equipment, leading to the adoption of the Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Modele 1873 by the French Army. It was a solid-frame, side-ejection, double-action revolver using a center-fire cartridge. The 1873 was finished in the white, while the officer's version, the Modele 1874, had a fluted cylinder and a blued finish. The French Navy also adopted it in 1873, replacing their Lefaucheux revolvers. The design became so popular that versions were adopted by Belgium in 1871, Italy, and Switzerland with the Model 1872. The cartridge was 11x17.8mmR with a pointed lead bullet weighing 11 grams, and standard muzzle velocity was around 550 feet per second. The cylinder had a side-loading gate, and the sight picture was a ball and v type. Cleaning and disassembly were easy as the cylinder pin doubled as a screwdriver.

Reader's Guide

The MAS 1873 revolver saw extensive service from the late 19th century through World War I and World War II. Although replaced by the Modele 1892 revolver, it was widely used during the First World War and issued to reserve units in 1940. The French Resistance made widespread use of it during the German occupation. It was issued to the French Army, French Navy, National Gendarmerie, and French National Police until 1962, and also used by the Banque de France, French Forces of the Interior, and National Forests Office. The weapon was very reliable and resistant to damage, though its 11mm cartridge proved to have insufficient velocity. The revolver served from the early days of the French Third Republic through the conquest of its empire, the Great War, and the Second World War, finally ending its service as a police sidearm in World War II.

Did You Know?

• The MAS 1873 was the first double-action revolver used by the French Army.
• About 337,000 copies were produced from 1873 to 1887.
• The cylinder pin doubled as a screwdriver and all-purpose tool.