A companion for my Carcano

Drydock · February 17, 2015, 07:03:56 PM

Threw a bid on this, and won it to my surprise. Better gin me up some 44 Russian brass I guess.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=466747484

http://www.carabinieri.it/arma/ieri/equipaggiamento-e-materiali/1861-1907/le-armi/le-armi-per-la-difesa-dell'unit%C3%A0-d'italia-revolver-mod-1889-(bodeo)

Silver Creek Slim · February 17, 2015, 08:08:51 PM

Very nice.

Slim

pony express · February 17, 2015, 08:16:22 PM

That looks to be in really good condition for a Bodeo! Lots of them are rougher, pitted, etc. Plus, you got an officer model with trigger guard. I like the looks of them a lot more than the folding trigger model.

Drydock · February 17, 2015, 08:55:54 PM

I really wanted an officers model, I figure it could do double duty for a French 1873 if needed, (It's based on the French gun) and would be a lot easier to load for. But still surprised this one went as low as it did! Good thing my company safety bonus came in!

Y'all keep buying that Diamond Dog Food!

Forty Rod · February 17, 2015, 11:24:58 PM

'Scool iron, Dock.

Charles Isaac · February 18, 2015, 07:22:22 AM

You done good on that one!

Delmonico · February 18, 2015, 01:22:43 PM

Next thing you know I'll have to make pizza.

Pitspitr · February 18, 2015, 02:38:30 PM

that wouldn't be all bad

Grenadier · February 18, 2015, 02:42:39 PM

I gave my 1915 dated one away last year, kinda miss it.

I tried to chamber .44 Russian and .44 Colt in mine and neither would work. Are you sure .44 Russian will work?

Drydock · February 18, 2015, 04:45:29 PM

That's what I've been told, Might have to run it up in a .303 die to give it some taper.

Drydock · February 18, 2015, 05:04:33 PM

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?3024-AMMO-10-35mm-Italian-Revolver

Pony Racer · February 18, 2015, 08:06:23 PM

Too cool - it is definitely a 1873 St Etienne cousin!

Too cool

Nice buy.

Grenadier · February 19, 2015, 02:15:26 AM

Quote from: Drydock on February 18, 2015, 05:04:33 PM
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?3024-AMMO-10-35mm-Italian-Revolver

Reading through that explained it all.

Thanks!

Drydock · December 04, 2015, 07:55:04 PM

Update: After acquiring a small part needed, took the Bodeo out of Mothballs this last week and worked up some good loads for it. It was surprisingly easy. Unmodified .44 Russian brass, 18 grains fffg, a 200 grain .44-40 bullet from a Lee mold, put together with Lee .44 Russian dies. The only difference is I used a .303 size die as a crimp die, running the finished round about 1/3rd of its length into the die for a nice taper. The rounds drop nicely into the cylinder, and shoot a sub 3" group on a pumpkin at 10 paces.

Cleans up easy, this thing has the deepest rifling I've ever seen. Easy access to the innards, with the Galand lockwork very simple. Unloading is a pain compared to an SAA, much less a swing out cylinder revolver, but for 6 shots this is as good as anything out there. One of the few Continental revolvers with a ballisticly respectable round, imho.

Another good gun for Armadillo hunting.