Galand de Guerre Model 1872: Too Good for the Military

Published on June 23, 2025
Duration: 13:41

This guide details the tool-less disassembly of the Galand de Guerre Model 1872, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum. The process involves using a grip lever to remove the mainspring and opening a hinged side plate to access the simple six-part internal lockwork. This design facilitated easy maintenance, a key requirement for military firearms of the era.

Quick Summary

The Galand de Guerre Model 1872 was a French military trials revolver designed by Charles Francois Galand. It featured a solid frame, double/single action, and tool-less disassembly via a grip lever and hinged side plate. Chambered in 12mm Galand, it competed against the Chamelot-Delvigne 1873, which was ultimately chosen for its production economy.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Galand 1872
  2. 01:26Historical Context: French Military Needs
  3. 03:17Trials Requirements
  4. 04:35Visual Inspection & Markings
  5. 05:52Technical Specs & 12mm Galand
  6. 08:15Tool-less Disassembly & Lockwork
  7. 09:56Comparison with Chamelot-Delvigne 1873

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key requirements for French military revolvers after the Franco-Prussian War?

Following the Franco-Prussian War, the French military sought modern metallic cartridge revolvers featuring a solid frame, double/single action capability, a rebounding hammer for safety, gate loading, and tool-less disassembly. The Galand 1872 and Chamelot-Delvigne 1873 were key contenders meeting these criteria.

How does the Galand de Guerre Model 1872 achieve tool-less disassembly?

The Galand de Guerre Model 1872 allows for tool-less disassembly through a lever on the grip used to remove the mainspring, and a hinged side plate that provides access to the simple six-part internal lockwork, enabling easy maintenance.

Why was the Chamelot-Delvigne 1873 chosen over the Galand 1872 for French military service?

Although both the Galand 1872 and Chamelot-Delvigne 1873 were excellent revolvers that met stringent military trial requirements, the Chamelot-Delvigne 1873 was ultimately selected primarily because it was more economical to produce for mass military adoption.

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