Modèle 1892 revolver

The Model 1892 revolver (also known as the "Lebel revolver" and the "St. Etienne 8mm") is a French service revolver produced by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne as a replacement for the MAS 1873 revolver. It was the standard issue sidearm for officers in the French military during the First World War.

This article is about the French revolver. For the American one produced in the same year, see Colt M1892.
Modèle 1892 revolver
Modèle 1892 revolver on display at the Liberty Memorial of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, Kansas City.
TypeService revolver
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1892–1960s
Used bySee Users
WarsFrench colonial expeditions,
World War I,
Rif War,
World War II,
First Indochina War
Production history
DesignerManufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne
ManufacturerManufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne
Produced1892–1924
No. builtc. 350,000
Specifications
Mass1.88 pounds (0.85 kg) unloaded
Length9.3 inches (24 cm)
Cartridge8mm French Ordnance
ActionDouble-action/single-action revolver
Muzzle velocity730 ft/s (225 m/s)
Feed system6-round cylinder

The Modèle 1892 revolver is a solid frame revolver with the cylinder on a separate frame swinging right for manual reloading. The Modèle 1892 was first fielded in 1893 and was prominent among French military officers during First World War, and later the French police until the mid-1960s.

A mechanically tight and very well finished handgun, the Modèle 1892 fires 8mm rounds with a striking power equivalent to that of a .32 ACP round. It also features a smaller calibre than many other military revolvers of that time period, including the Webley revolver and its predecessor the MAS 1873 revolver.

History
The MAS 1887, a variant of the MAS 1885 chambred in 8mm, and precursor to the MAS 1892

Though it was originally designed to serve as a commissioned officer's personal sidearm, over 350,000 Modèle 1892 revolvers were manufactured between 1892 and 1924. It was issued in the French Army, French Navy, and French Gendarmerie, amongst others. It is commonly, but mistakenly, called a "Lebel revolver" after the name of Colonel Nicolas Lebel, although there is no evidence whatsoever that Lebel had any involvement in the creation of the gun or its ammunition.[1] Non-commissioned officers continued to carry the older Mle 1873 service revolver, but were also frequently issued .32 ACP automatic pistols (the Ruby pistol) during World War I. The Mle 1892 was later officially replaced by semi-automatic pistols in 1935 but many saw service during World War II and were brought to the United States as souvenirs.[2]

A Modèle 1892 was used in the 2018 Strasbourg attack.

Mechanics

Originally chambered for an 8mm black-powder cartridge closely resembling the .32-20 WCF round, later models issued during World War I and thereafter fired the same 8mm cartridge loaded with smokeless powder. The Mle 1892 revolver is a double-action solid-frame design, with chambers being accessed by swinging out the cylinder to the right. The fired cases can then be pushed out of the cylinder at the same time. After reloading, the cylinder is swung back into the frame and locked into place with the case-hardened loading gate located on the right side of the frame.[3] In addition, the left sideplate of the frame can be swung back on a hinge to give access to the gun's internal parts for oiling or cleaning. These parts were individually numbered to indicate the order in which they can be disassembled. The year of manufacture of each revolver is engraved on the right side of the barrel, for instance "S 1895". The inscription "Mle 1892" is hand engraved on top of the barrel. It was carried in a large closed leather holster, which held an additional 12 rounds of ammunition hidden below the flap.

Legacy

The Mle 1892 is a mechanically tight, accurate and very well finished revolver. It can be fired single-action by cocking the hammer first or by double-action by a full trigger pull. Its downside is the relative weakness, for a military handgun, of its 8×27mm ammunition.[4] In terms of striking power, it just barely reaches the level of the .32 ACP.

Users

Notes
  1. Kinard, Jeff. Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact, p. 154, ABC-CLIO, Inc. 2003.
  2. Wood,J.B. Book of Revolver Assembly and Disassembly, p. 152, Krause Publications, 2011.
  3. McNab,Chris The Great Book of Guns, p. 108, Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
  4. McNab, Chris. The Great Book of Guns. p. 108. Thunder Bay Press, 2004.
  5. McNab, Chris (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. p. 51. ISBN 1-84013-476-3.
  6. Giletta, Jacques (2005). Les Gardes Personnelles des Princes de Monaco (1st ed.). Taurus Editions. ISBN 2 912976-04-9.
  7. Scarlata, Paul (1 October 2017). "Yugoslav Part II: World War II small arms: an assortment of small arms from friends and foe alike". Firearms News.

References
  • Kinard, Jeff. Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact, ABC-CLIO, Inc. Santa Barbara, Calif. (USA) 2003. ISBN 1-85109-470-9
  • McNab, Chris, The Great Book of Guns, Thunder Bay Press, San Diego, Calif. (USA), 2004. ISBN 978-1-59223-304-5.
  • Wood, J.B., Book of Revolver Assembly and Disassembly, Krause Publications, Iola, Wisc. (USA), 2011. ISBN 978-1-4402-1452-3.
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