1872 Swiss revolver

Model 1872

The Model 1872 revolver (Ordonnanzrevolver 1872 or revolver d'ordonnance modèle 1872) was the service sidearm of the Swiss Army. It was later refined to the Model 1878 revolver. They were manufactured in Belgium by Pirlot Frères for the 1872 model and in Switzerland by Waffenfabrik Bern for 1878 model. After 1882, they were replaced by the Schmidt M1882 service revolver.

Models

The Model 1872 and 1878 revolvers operated in both single action and double action, with empty cartridges individually ejected by an ejector rod. They were very similar in design to the French military MAS 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne revolver.

The 1872 revolver used rimfire cartridges, but was adapted to centrefire for the 1878 model.

The Model 1878

Model 1878 of the Gendarmerie of Vaud, on display at Morges castle museum.

The Model 1878 was chambered specifically for a centerfire cartridge. Its mechanism is the Warnant system with a rebounding hammer modified by Lieutenant-Colonel Rudolf Schmidt. In contrast with the Model 1872, it has no loading gate but is designed to index the chambers of the cylinder with an ejector rod.