Mle 1892 8mm Revolver (French) with Documentation

[jmoore]

The paper is in three pieces and is quite fragile so it stays in the slip cover.

Fortunately, the revolver itself is in rather better shape:







It's had a range trip, but ammo isn't exactly common. Smooth if somewhat heavy double action pull. The trigger pull with the hammer cocked is nothing special, but it's quite adequate for a combat sidearm.

Nicely made, if just a little odd.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Anzac15]

That's a fantastic piece! Is this a revolver that was captured by a family member?

[jmoore]

That's a fantastic piece! Is this a revolver that was captured by a family member?

It is nice, thanks! But, no, no family history for me. Lots of family involvement during the war, everthing from the Manhattan Project to bulldozing runways in the Pacific, but the only item that might have been aquired overseas is unprovable in origin. And probably best remains that way...

Had another Mle. 1892 but it wasn't as "pretty". It ended up being used as trading fodder, but it wasn't an action lightly undertaken. It probably had actually been fielded.

[Patrick Chadwick]

It's had a range trip, but ammo isn't exactly common. Smooth if somewhat heavy double action pull. The trigger pull with the hammer cocked is nothing special, but it's quite adequate for a combat sidearm.

I have tested one of these revolvers that was ruined on the outside. No collector's showpiece!. But the mechanism was perfect, and it performed well. I measured the DA pull as 7.3 kg - typical military "emergency use only" - and the SA pull as 4.0 kg. I agree with your verdict. But it could have been improved to make a quite acceptable target revolver.

[jmoore]

New member dutchbert apparently has a Mle. 1892 without the loading gate. He's looking for dimensions for this part so a new one can be fabricated. I've offered to do photos and give some dimensional info which won't require detail stripping my one example. But it seems the easy way out would be to inquire if anyone might have a spare!

Should do a range trip soon with this revolver soon, anyway, so refreshing this thread seemed logical.

[dutchbert]

Hi,

Jmoore kindly agreed to make photos and measurements of the part missing on my mle1892 revolver. I would need these to have the part fabricated by a friend of mine - as an experiment for the use of his newly acquired 3D-printer. (You may have read about this new production technique.) I would need exact measurements, also of the 'backside' of the part, which is hidden from view if you don't take the revolver apart.

Jmoore's suggestion to ask you guys if you have the part as a spare is of course the better option, but I have little hope of this being successful. Not even French weapons masters have reacted to my inquiries...

Regards, Bert

[jmoore]

Got the revolver out and had a brief range session (very little ammo at hand, so...) Single action pull is heavy, very heavy! In fact, I think the double action pull is about as usable. Five rounds each at 25 yards, one handed:



Anyway, some latch details:







Interior view with latch closed:

And with latch open. (Note that the latch blocks the hammer.):


And some basic dimensions using metric calipers and a micrometer.

[WarPig1976]

This weapon is a perfect example of the saying " if you have to ask,you'll never understand." I see a mechanical masterpiece as fine as any Swiss watch.
They sure don't make'em like they used too.!!!

I've seen plastic stuff made with these new 3D printers, can metal parts be "printed"??

[dutchbert]

@Jmoore: excellent documentation! Great detail. I think my fabricating friend can work with these. Thank you!

@WarPig1976: One of the showcases of the 3D printer is in fact a firearm. I haven't seen it myself, but if I remember correctly it's an assault rifle. The only part they do not 'print' is the firing pin...
The plan to have the mle1892 part 'printed' is an experiment, with the thought in mind that it could always be replaced by a more conventionally fabricated version.

[jmoore]

I think my fabricating friend can work with these.

You'll have to cipher out the various angles and centerline of the pivot by examining the frame. Probably would best be done with the expectation of some hand fitting. Easier to remove metal than put it back!

---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 AM ----------

I see a mechanical masterpiece as fine as any Swiss watch.

It does have one of the most nicely finished interiors of any firearm I've ever examined. It also appeared to have extremely robust design of the moving parts. It looks odd, but it makes sense. How well it would do full of sand or mud I don't know. Might be TOO nice!