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The French 1873 cavalry revolver was quite a rugged gun for its time. Using the regular 1890 service ammunition, misfires were rare in single action, but return trigger spring breakages were quite common. In double action, to the contrary, firing pin spikes could occur and, more rarely, cylinder jams. The Cavalry manual instructions concerning combat use of the 1873 revolver gave the following advice (Manuel du cavalier – 15ème régiment des chasseurs. Belfort, 1876):

The Revolver: Its Use In Mêlée

PRODUCTION FIGURES AND COSTS

The Saint-Etienne arsenal manufactured 325,885 Model 1873 revolvers (including 67 pre-production guns) by 1884. 176 of these revolvers were rebuilt in 1884, using salvaged components.

When, in 1877, the French Navy abandoned their former Le-faucheux Model 1870 in favor of the 1873 revolver, this particular version was delivered blued, for improving its resistance to salt water. A total of 12,868 guns in the Navy configuration was delivered from 1877 to 1886. Many of them were still in service during World War II.