REVOLVER "Renforcé"
Here is a
so-called "reinforced" revolver in calibre 8 mm Lebel sold by Manufrance.
Another
revolver of this type (but less beautiful...) has already been the subject of an
article on the site.
As one
team member explains, it was developed from the BullDogs architecture to fit the
standard 8mm92 smokeless powder ammunition. These revolvers were produced during
the first quarter of the 20th century.
We see on
the specimen that occupies us now the same hallmarks of Liège R crowned (rifled
barrel), in use between 1894 and 1968 and the G under a star, countermark of a
controller of the proofhouse of Liège, in use between 1877 and 1968.
Here too,
the ELG acceptance stamp on a star in a crowned oval is missing!
There is
not even a Liège hallmark on the barrel, but the hallmark of the French
Manufacture.
At first,
I thought the barrels were made in France. But the same member of the team
confirms to me that the barrel is indeed Belgian: “Manuf." used to order
unmarked weapons to stamp them in Saint-Etienne... »
GP with the help of Chris.
REVOLVER RENFORCE
This revolver appears on page 179 of the Manufrance catalog of the year 1915, under the denomination of:
REVOLVER RENFORCE
Cartouches à poudre sans fumée et balle blindée
- Fabrication Française
- calibre 8 mm
- Longueur 174 mm
- Poids 170 g
- Portée 150 mètres"
and, in one framed this same page on the left:
REVOLVER A 5 COUPS
Percussion centrale
Canon rayé - calibre 8 mm - Double mouvement - Chien rebondissant - Barillet démontable à la main
- Ref 259 - Prix : 32 francs
It is thus about a revolver of Liège manufacture (towards 1910/1920) marketed by Manufrance in Saint-Etienne, which uses the French lawful cartridge of 8 mm, that of the revolver Mas 1892.
Michel
