Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
NAGANT M.1883
9mm Norwegian
Nagant 1883 Brazilian (Simson)
This is a
Simson Suhl Nagant revolver made to complete orders that the Belgian Nagant
Company could not fulfill with
Argentina. Only the cylinder is marked with the
military “B” of
Argentina and has a different serial number than the revolver
itself. Thus we assume this could be a commercial Simson Nagant sent to South
America.
This
revolver is marked with the serial number 5493. The barrel measures 5-3/4 inches
(146mm), and its overall length is 10-5/8 inches (270mm).
On the
left of the action ahead of the cylinder the gun is marked “SIMSON & Co, SUHL”
this over the serial number 5493; The serial number is stamped on all the major
parts except for the cylinder which has a different number: 5340.
This
revolver has been cleaned and re-finished and the grips are replacements made of
South American hard wood.
The
Nagant .440 Cartridge
This
cartridge is marked V. F. M & Cie, which would be V. Francotte, May et Cie. This
“Nagant .440” cartridge has a base diameter of .4525 (11.49mm).
Richard Young
Nagant Argentin
Manufacturer Simson & Co. in Suhl.
Caliber: .440 however, according to the German law of 1891, the marking 67/49 on
the barrel indicates the nominal caliber or bore diameter of the barrel, which
corresponds to 10.41mm.
Length of barrel: 146mm/.5”748inc.
Outer diameter and cylinder length:
43,40mm/1”708inc.
X 34.7mm/.1”366inc.
Diameter of the chambers on the base and opposite side: 11.5mm/.4527inc. X 11.10
mm/.437inc.
Weight of the empty weapon: 1kg150/2lb537.
Cylinder capacity: 6 strokes
Length of the revolver: 270mm/10”629inc, height 140mm/5”511inc out of sight and
ring.
The barrel is eight-sided.
Revolver working in single and double action, it has a sight notch fixed on the
barrel, the line of sight is 175mm/6”889inc.
Loading is done by means of a side door on the right side of the gun.
This revolver has undergone the double proof and
own the punches of the profhouse of Suhl followed by the letter U in use from
1893 to 1940.
It also has an S mark with a crown on the right side of the carcass, but for the
moment it remains unknown to me; I think it originates in Argentina.
In addition, it also bears many small markings
which I do not know, but which I believe should be attributed to the various
controllers in the process of being manufactured.
Max with Dirk’s help for punches and German law.
