One more Swiss service revolver

[Dave DeLaurant]

I added one more Swiss 7.5 revolver yesterday to fill in another space in my Swiss military handgun collection:



My 'new' 1882 is at the bottom of this photo. The official designation of the later Swiss Ordnance Revolver is 1882/29, but the truth is that the two have so many differences that they are entirely different animals.

Differences that are immediately apparent: the 1882 is more carefully fitted and finished, and the trigger is far heavier in both SA and DA (especially DA!) The ergonomics would be better in the 1882, but you can't really appreciate them thanks to the epic struggle with the trigger. Seriously, this gives the 1895 Russian Gas Seal Nagant a run for its money.



Nice gun, though. The finish on the left side is more worn, but the lockup and bore are like new. Pull the trigger and hold the hammer down and the cylinder feels like a solid piece with the rest of the gun -- these have a lockup that beats any S&W I've handled.

Pity the cartridge is barely equal to .32 ACP.

 

[PzGren]

The 1882/29 allows an easy insight:

 

[Jim Watson]

Tough trigger pulls seem standard in those early double action revolvers.
I doubt they were shot DA very much except when the Fuzzy Wuzzy was getting almost in sword reach.

 

[Roverguy]

Tough trigger pulls seem standard in those early double action revolvers.
I doubt they were shot DA very much except when the Fuzzy Wuzzy was getting almost in sword reach.

Not many Fuzzy Wuzzies for the Swiss Army. The odd Italian smuggler?

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

The 1882/29 allows an easy insight:
View attachment 1129451

Nice specimen! Adolf Furrer did a clever job of simplifying the action of the 1882/29 -- his K31 was a big improvement over the 1911 series of straight pulls too.

Probably the only two arms he developed that lack a toggle lock. That man sure loved his toggles!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Not many Fuzzy Wuzzies for the Swiss Army. The odd Italian smuggler?

Or maybe the odd rabid dog. The 7.5 Swiss Ordnance black powder loadings have barely the energy of a .22 LR, but it's fun vehicle for making holes in paper.

 

[Old Dog]

I'm sure the Swiss are grateful that the Japanese created a revolver even uglier than theirs.

As a collector of military arms (and an owner of several Swiss watches), though, I remain interested. This is a niche I have not yet explored.

Dave, thank you for sharing.

 

[Speedo66]

Or maybe the odd rabid dog. The 7.5 Swiss Ordnance black powder loadings have barely the energy of a .22 LR, but it's fun vehicle for making holes in paper.

Back then, pre antibiotics, good chance any body perforation was going to result in a slow death, especially to the gut.

Typical personal hygiene at that time didn’t help.

Good luck with your new gun!