Military Wiki
12 mm Lefaucheux
12×17mm Lefaucheux metallic horizontal.jpg
Type Revolver
Service history
In service 1858–1892
Used by French Navy and French Army
Production history
Designed 1858
Specifications
Case type Rimmed, straight
Bullet diameter 11.3 mm (0.44 in)
Neck diameter 11.8 mm (0.46 in)
Base diameter 11.9 mm (0.47 in)
Rim diameter 12.6 mm (0.50 in)
Rim thickness 0.94 mm
Case length 19.9 mm (0.78 in)
Overall length 30.8 mm (1.21 in)

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.

Overview[]

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[]

The 12mm Lefaucheux.

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[]

12×17mm Lefaucheux fixed dimensions

See also[]

References[]

External links[]


All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at 12 mm Lefaucheux and the edit history here.