Reichsrevolver Model 1883

About the Reichsrevolver Model 1883

The Reichsrevolver Model 1883 was the shorter-barreled service revolver of the unified German Empire, a solid-frame, single-action, gate-loaded six-shot revolver developed as a more compact successor to the longer M1879. Chambered for the powerful rimmed 10.6mm German Ordnance cartridge, it carries the same robust frame-mounted manual safety lever and the same arrangement with no ejector rod attached to the gun, which made unloading slow. Collectors call it the officer's model; it served alongside the M1879 as a standard German sidearm until the Luger P08 replaced it, then lingered with rear-echelon and security troops into both World Wars.

Like the M1879, the M1883 has no ejector rod attached to the gun at all - to clear the cylinder, a soldier pulled the cylinder pin and pushed spent cases out one at a time, while a separate ejector rod rode in a sheath on the holster. Its short barrel and frame-mounted safety lever made it the handier, officer-favoured version of an already archaic design.

Reichsrevolver Model 1883 specifications

Barrel length is the standard 127 mm (5 in) and overall length 310 mm per militaryfactory; weight about 1050 g. Bullet weight, muzzle energy, and primer type are estimated from the cartridge's .44 Russian lineage. The frame-mounted safety lever sits on the left side of the frame.