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After the French, the Italian Army adopted also a similar Chamelot-Delvigne design as their model of 1874, in service up to 1889. It was chambered in 10.35 mm centerfire, now called the “Italian service caliber” with a 177-gr. lead bullet at 735 fps).

THE 1873 CHAMELOT-DELVIGNE FRENCH CAVALRY MODEL

This is a superb solid-frame fixed-barrel revolver 9.68 inches long, weighing 43.7 oz. with a 6-shot cylinder and a 4.48-inch barrel of .44 caliber. Rifling is four right hand lands and grooves at a 13.78:1 pitch. The oval trigger guard is nicely shaped, the rod ejector being protected by a housing parallel to the barrel’s right side. The grip butt features a steel round cap fitted with a swivelling lanyard ring.

All components are individually marked with the revolver serial number, which is not a mere luxury, as they are not interchangeable without fitting. The gun can be entirely disassembled by hand, using the beak of the cylinder axis head as a key for releasing the side-plate lock screw.