M1873 Navy Chamelot-Delvigne revolver

[Anzac15]

Think I found a good one today..a French Navy M1873 Chamelot-Delvigne revolver! It is in excellent condition, timing is superb, locks up tight, is in the white as is correct. I have been after one of these for quite awhile.
On top of that, it is a Navy revolver, which I understand is pretty hard to find. It looks like it has a DoB of 1887..St. Etienne manufacture.
Enjoy the pics!

Information

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[rcathey]

Very nice!
One of my favorite mindless action movies with lots of great guns is The Mummy.
Brenden Fraser’s character Rick O’Connell carries two of these in shoulder holsters.
What caliber does this shoot? Can you shoot it safely?

[Anzac15]

The Naval version used a higher powered cartridge than the Army's, if I'm not mistaken....12mm Lefaucheux.
If I had the rounds, yes, I would not hesitate to fire this one. It is in absolutely perfect condition.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"if I'm not mistaken....12mm Lefaucheux."

The name is irritating, since "Lefaucheux" usually indicates pinfire ignition.
Go here

MUNICION.ORG - Coleccionismo de cartuchera

and in the section "Fuego Central, 10-11.4 mm" you will find it close to the end of the list, with a number of confusing designations.
12 mm French for 1873 Navy revolver / 11mm French Navy / 11 mm Lefaucheux de fuego central / 11 mm Marine / 11mm Mle. 1870 Marine / 12mm Marine / ECRA-ECDV 12 018 CBC 005

There is quite a bit of info on this site about this rare caliber, so it's worth reading.

I agree, it looks as if the revolver is in very good condition. And as a member of the Arquebusiers der France I can assure you that a number of French blackpowder shooters use these ruggedly-built revolvers with enthusiasm in competition.

Properly fed (only BP, no nitro) and maintained, it should be good for another century or so!

[Anzac15]

So '12mm French Ord' would be the correct designation?
What would be the reason for the naval revolver using a more powerful cartridge than the army?