Swiss 1882 Ordnance Revolver (Shooting)

Published on December 20, 2016
Duration: 13:28

This review of the Swiss 1882 Ordnance Revolver highlights its unique place in firearms history, bridging older designs with modern trends. Despite its relatively weak 7.5mm cartridge, the revolver was kept in Swiss service due to its cost-effectiveness and robust build quality. The video details its mechanical features, including the Abadie loading system and its double-action trigger, offering a comprehensive look at this historical piece.

Quick Summary

The Swiss 1882 Ordnance Revolver is mechanically closer to the French 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne action. It uses a 7.5mm bore, adopted to match smaller-caliber smokeless powder rifles, and features an Abadie loading system for safer cylinder indexing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Swiss 1882 vs. Nagant/Chamelot-Delvigne
  2. 00:58Historical Context: Swiss Military Revolver Evolution
  3. 01:557.5mm Swiss Cartridge Performance Analysis
  4. 02:38Military Service & Cost-Effectiveness
  5. 03:56Mechanical Features: Abadie Gate & Trigger
  6. 05:13Shooting Demonstration & Sights
  7. 06:01Loading & Unloading: Gate & Ejector
  8. 07:39Markings, Variations & Grips
  9. 09:43Disassembly & Internal Mechanism
  10. 12:06Conclusion: Build Quality & Ammo

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Swiss 1882 Ordnance Revolver historically significant?

The Swiss 1882 is significant for its role in Swiss military history, bridging older revolver designs with emerging firearm technologies. It adopted a smaller 7.5mm caliber and featured the innovative Abadie loading system, remaining in service longer than expected due to its cost-effectiveness.

How does the 7.5mm Swiss cartridge compare to other calibers?

The 7.5mm Swiss revolver cartridge is relatively weak, firing a 107-grain bullet at about 650 feet per second. This makes it less powerful than common cartridges like the .32 ACP or 8mm Ordnance, reflecting a trend towards smaller, faster bullets in firearms of that era.

What is the Abadie loading system on the Swiss 1882?

The Abadie loading system on the Swiss 1882 allows the cylinder to be indexed (rotated) by the trigger pull when the loading gate is open. This feature enables safe loading of all six rounds without needing to manually cock the hammer first.

Why did the Swiss military keep the 1882 revolver in service alongside the Luger?

Despite adopting the Luger pistol in 1900, the Swiss military retained the 1882 revolver for rear-echelon troops and NCOs until after World War II. This was primarily due to its significantly lower cost, being roughly half the price of a Luger.

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