1873 St Etienne revolvers

[Pony Racer]

Ladies and Gents, I have the pleasure of reporting that I took my two (a 1918 nitro rated copy and a 1887 one) 1873 French 11mm revolvers apart this weekend and once I got past the side plate and saw the naked reciever, I stepped back in amazement.

All the parts on these pistols had the serial number put on them and all of the parts are are extrememly well fashioned.  It is very obvious that this pistol was made in another time when guns were fashioned more by working hands then machines.

One bore has cleaned to where I would rate it at almost 100% new (The 1887 copy) and the other I would say about 85%, a little frosting and the rifling is a little worn ( this is on the 1918 Nitro rated one - someone has definitely been shooting her). However, both show no pitting in either the barrel or cylinders and I am convinced these pistols with how well they point will be a pleasure to shoot.

Both guns seemed a little loose, but after a good field stripping, cleaning and oiling, the guns lock up pretty tight for a revolver from their time period.

My smokeless reloads ,and new brass came in and I have ordered some .445 and .451 balls to experiment with my BP loads.

Just wish the guns could talk - I would say that the 1887 probably has been in someone's collection and shot very little, while the 1918 copy while well taken care of, has been shot quite a bit (due to the wear on the rifling).

I will post more info, after getting to shoot these victorian era beauties.  The French definitely knew how to make a very tank like pistol, that points well.  If'n it shoots as good - I will be one happy Cowboy!!

PR

[Mossyrock]

So, are you going to get a set of Rick O'Connell shoulder holsters and go mummy hunting?   

http://www.toddscostumes.com/mummy/rick_oconnell_holsters.htm

[RattlesnakeJack]

Pony Racer:  I just bought an e-book on Webley revolvers, from an outfit based in Belgium.   Based on the sample pages shown, it looks to be excellent (I'm waiting for my password to get into my copy, so can't say more than that at present.)

Anyway, they also have one on the "French Service Revolver Mod. 1873-74", for US$7.95, which you might find interesting and useful - here's a link to the listing, showing full table of contents and various samples of the contents -
http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/1873load.htm

[Pony Racer]

RJ you are brilliant my man!!!

The company not only has books.  I just ordered their hand made 11mm hand reloading kit and 11mm bullets.

Wahoooooooooooo.

RJ I owe you a beer my friend and not some water downed brew either.

I am on cloud nine!!

PR

[RattlesnakeJack]

RJ I owe you a beer my friend and not some water downed brew either.

Aaaah ... so that would be a good Canadian beer, eh?   

I have received my password to access the Webley e-book - it is pretty darn good, especially the excellent photographs illustrating the various parts and procedures.  The text, presumably translated from French to English, or at least written by someone whose first language is not English, is a bit "quaint", but there was nothing I couldn't understand.  My favorite so far is the statement meant to indicate that the strong spring for the stirrup latch makes it somewhat difficult to open:  "Indeed, the barrel opening is rendered quite uneasy ..."   (Well ... perhaps just a bit nervous ...  )

[RattlesnakeJack]

Got to thinking on Mossyrock's quip about Rick O'Connell's pistols and holsters in The Mummy, and remembered that I still had some images I made up way back when for a discussion on some gun forum about what kind of revolvers he had ... the first image and detail are from a publicity photo, and the second set are from a movie out-take ....

[Mossyrock]

Wow.  Great info here.  I have been trying to get one of these for years.  I'll bet I have been outbid a dozen times on Gunbroker.  Missed a nearly pristine example by $5.00 one time.....but, no....I'M NOT BITTER!!!    

[Pony Racer]

Mossyrock, I got outbid twice and then got aggressive with keeping tabs.

I paid 150.00 less for 1887 copy, but internally it is the nicer copy.  I think the old blueing done over the white metal scared some bidders off.

Keep trying - the guns are out there.

PR

[Pony Racer]

Got my ebook set-up last night.

Very informative and lots of pictures and diagrams with exploded views.

Who has a good gram to cc table for black powder??  Them dang frenchies do all their cartridge recipes in grams.

According to the book - there is a lee and rcbs molds for these french 11mm bullets.

My research will continue

RJ - a good ale sounds about right - think some of the american micro-breweries do a good job.  If'n I can get to a shoot you are at - whatever your "poison" is I am buying!!

PR

[Steel Horse Bailey]

There's always Molson's. 

Pony Racer, I have it on good authority (himself) that RJR is of Scottish heritage - so look around for someplace that sells "Tennents Lager" - he, and YOU, might enjoy it.  (A good Scottish brew that is imported into the USA)

[RattlesnakeJack]

And for a good Canadian/Scottish brew, there's Alexander Keith's ....

And great TV commercials!
http://www.keiths-fans.ca/multimedia.html

Pony Racer - are you likely to get to the GAF Muster next fall in Nebraska?  I should be there ....   

Steel Horse - What?? Scottish heritage?  Me???    

   

Mind you  ....  "If it's no' Scottish ... it's CRAAAP!"

[Steel Horse Bailey]

 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here are the lyrics to BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS.  That is the tune playing in the background to the commercial  The Search For Roger

http://theorem.ca/~yaacov/lyrics.php?key=song_title&ID=33