Manufacture D’armes St. Etienne MAS 1874 11mm Revolver, MFD 1878 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
WOA#: WY240730CX003
Make: Manufacture d’armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS)
Model: 1874
Serial Number: N 23614
Year of Manufacture: 1878
Caliber: 11mm Mle 1873
Action Type: Single or Double Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Mle 1874” in script. The left side of the barrel is marked “T” and “M” within circles. The left shoulder is marked with the serial number, “N23614”. The right side of the barrel is marked “S. 1878”. The serial number is marked on the left side of the trigger, the trigger guard, the side plate, the cylinder pin, sear, hand, hammer, mainspring strain-lever, and on the cylinder. The sideplate screw and cylinder pin release are marked with “L / 14”, found again on some other small parts. The left side of the frame is marked “Mre d’Armes / St Etienne” in script. There are scattered proof/inspection marks. The grips and grip screw have non-matching numbers.
Barrel Length: 4 1/4?, Half Round, Half Octagon
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with the left panel secured by the side plate and a tab integral to the butt, the right screw-secured. The grips have even handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The wood has darkened with age and oil. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique and not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. The ejector housing has scattered wear, mostly around the edge of the slot. There is some finish wear and minor erosion at the muzzle on the left. The strawed finish has mostly muted or worn to white. Most worn areas are going to a light patina. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are more notable nicks and dings around the cylinder flutes as well as along the edges of the topstrap. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has light play on each chamber. The double action trigger pull is relatively smooth and the single action trigger is crisp. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Modele 1873 was adopted by the French army as a service revolver for non-commissioned officers. The Modele 1874 Revolver d’Officier was the version issued to officers. The differences between the two models included the following: the 1873 was finished in the white, whereas the 1874 had a fluted cylinder and a blued finish. The 1873 and 1874 were the first center-fire cartridge revolvers adopted by the French army. They had solid-frame, side-ejection, double-action mechanisms. The pistols were manufactured by the St. Etienne arsenal, which continued to manufacture fine sporting arms into the 21st Century. This example retains about 65% original finish and has smooth, fluid mechanics. It will make a fine addition to an early military cartridge revolver collection. Good luck and happy bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
