The 12mm Lefaucheux is a metallic center-fire cartridge. It was originally created as a rimless pinfire cartridge using black powder employed by the French navy on the Lefaucheux M1858 revolver. Later it was adapted to a center-fire cartridge by the French Army in 1873 for use on the MAS 1873 revolver.

12 mm Lefaucheux
TypeRevolver
Service history
In service1858–1892
Used byFrench Navy and French Army
Production history
Designed1858
Specifications
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter11.3 mm (0.44 in)
Neck diameter11.8 mm (0.46 in)
Base diameter11.9 mm (0.47 in)
Rim diameter12.6 mm (0.50 in)
Rim thickness0.94 mm
Case length19.9 mm (0.78 in)
Overall length30.8 mm (1.21 in)

Overview

edit

Originally, the 12 mm, was a classic Lefaucheux cartridge, with a side pin from its introduction in 1858 until 1873, when it was adapted and became a rimmed center-fire cartridge for use in the MAS revolver 1873-1874 then used by the French Army.[1]

Features

edit
 
The 12mm Lefaucheux.

These are the characteristics of the '12 mm Lefaucheux' cartridge:[1][2][3][4]

  • Brass case
  • Caliber: 12mm
  • Ammo: 12 X 17
  • Bullet diameter: 11.30 - 11.40 mm (.444" - .448")
  • Neck diameter: 11.80 - 11.85 mm (.464" - .466)
  • Base diameter: 11.90 - 11.92 mm (.468" - .469")
  • Rim diameter: 12.64 - 12.66 mm (.497" - .498")
  • Rim thickness: 0.9 - 1.0 mm (.035" - .039")
  • Case length: 19.90 - 20.00 mm (.783" - .787")
  • Overall length: 30.77 - 30.80 mm (1.211" - 1.212")
  • Primer: patented GAUPILLAT
  • Total weight: 18.34 grams
  • Bullet weight (lead): 12.80 grams
  • Cartridge weight: 4.74 grams
  • Black powder charge: 0.80 g

These are the most frequently encountered ("headstamp") tags:[3]

  • 1 / E / 82 / G. E
  • 4 / F / 82 / G.E
  • 1 / G / 82 / G. E
  • 4 / G / 82 / G.E
  • 4 / M / 82 / G. E
  • 4 / K / 82 / G. E

In these markings, the initials "G. E" referring to the manufacturer "Ernest Gaupillat", and the other letter and digits referring to the batch (probably place and date).[3]

Dimensions

edit
 

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Le revolver modèle 1873 à destination de la marine". revolver1873.fr. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  2. ^ "12 mm Lefaucheux - Cartucho 12 x 17 mm./ ECRA-ECDV 11 017 CLP 010". old.municion.org. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  3. ^ a b c Yves Etievant. "11 ou 12 Marine". Winchesterguns.com. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  4. ^ "rechargement 11mm pour 1873". TIR et COLLECTION Armes Règlementaires. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
edit