Mle 1873

[GunnyUSMC]

Thursday I stopped in at one of the local pawn shops to drop off something off. While I was there I had a look at the guns. Sitting in the case was this French Mle 1873 priced at $350. I checked it out and it functioned fine. The price was good but I wasn't sure if I wanted it, I'm not a big collector of French weapons. I went home and gave it some thought and decided if it was still there when I went by the next day, I would get it.
Friday morning I took my 12yo son, Isaac, to the Waffle House for breakfast before taking him to his Doctor's apt. Isaac asked what was I going to do for the day. I told I was going to buy an old gun. He told me that he has been to a lot of gun shops with me, but never when I have bought a gun. I asked if he was sure about that and he said yes.
After we were done at the Doctor's office we headed to the pawn shop, it was. The gun was still there.
As always when buying used guns at pawn shops I try to get them to come down on the price no matter how good it is. I asked what was the best price out the door and I was asked to make an offer. I told them $200, They said $300, I said sold.
I don't think I will be shooting this one. I might just make a shadow box for it and hang it in my shop.

[KublaiGun]

Very cool.

[I Swan]

I had one at one time I never shot it. Did they make you do a 4473 for it?

[Capybara]

Very interesting looking pistol Gunny, I like it. The roll marks are super cool looking.

[GunnyUSMC]

I had one at one time I never shot it. Did they make you do a 4473 for it?

Yes. They had put in their log book already.
Before I bought it I told Isaac that I wasn't sure if I was going to get it. He said he liked it and wanted it to be his one day.

[DesertWalker]

Different & Interesting.

Will you shoot it?

[Enfield47]

What a cool find.

[pitfighter]

We bought a batch of blanks for it from Atlantic Wall - it's a very fun revolver on film - they used them in The Mummy, too.

[GunnyUSMC]

Different & Interesting.

Will you shoot it?

I don't plan to shoot it. I have plenty of other guns to shoot.

We bought a batch of blanks for it from Atlantic Wall - it's a very fun revolver on film - they used them in The Mummy, too.

The Mummy was the movie where the Mle 1873 first caught my eye. Never thought I would get one at such a good deal.

[Tom-ADC]

Gunny nice find/buy always special when you involve the kids.
New gun to me are they DA or SA only?

[Skirmisher]

If you decide to shoot it .44 Special or Russian cases can be cut down to work. Reload with .44 Sp dies. Crimping is a big headache and I had to have a grinding lab cut back the Lee crimp die. The cases are ridiculously short and only hold about 11grains of black powder to produce muzzle energy of maybe 150 ft lbs. in addition you really need heeled bullets because the case will only take about. .430 but the bore is in the .450s. Buffalo Arms has the cases already shortened. GAD Ammo services in Wisconsin sent me some heeled bullets but I have not fired them yet. He is rather slow to deal with: 6 months for that order! But he does come thru eventually. The gun is built like a tank and clearly should have been chambered for a much more powerful cartridge.

[Mike Armstrong]

Wonder how many colonial subjects and or Huns that old gat "pacified" in its many years? Any decipherable unit markings on it? If not, just chalk it up to La Legion Etranjer (please excuse my {lack of} French!).

[GunnyUSMC]

Gunny nice find/buy always special when you involve the kids.
New gun to me are they DA or SA only?

it's a double action.