This article is a logical continuation of the previous one concerning the French regulation Mle 1892 revolver. You can find the first article here: The MAS Mle 1892 revolver: gunsmithing craftsmanship and evolving context.
This article stems from a rumor (one that is not entirely false) suggesting that the 8mm ammunition used by the Mle 1892 revolver is too weak. The downgrading of this weapon is said to be due to the caliber employed. Another factor that prompted the writing of this article was the discovery of a comparison between the handgun ammunition used by France during the Great War (the document is reproduced below).
This article will detail the ballistic data regarding the 8mm 1892 (8mm Lebel) and 7.65 Browning (.32 ACP) calibers. By comparing this data, I will draw my conclusions on the decommissioning of the MAS Mle 1892 revolver.
The French 8mm 1892 cartridge
To help with my analysis, I am going to use a table from a Fiocchi catalog that is very interesting in more ways than one. Here it is:
In my opinion, this table is highly useful because it provides ballistic data for several period calibers from the same modern ammunition manufacturer. It is therefore very easy to compare and debate the choices made by the various general staffs and governments of the time—while keeping in mind that we are not discussing vintage ammunition, but rather reproductions that respect all or part of the original specifications.
The data provided by the Italian manufacturer Fiocchi (see the table above) indicates that for a bullet weight of 7.2 grams, or 111 grains, and a muzzle velocity of 260 m/s, the muzzle energy of the projectile is 245 joules.
When comparing the muzzle energy of several regulation calibers, it becomes apparent that the 8mm 1892 is one of the weakest of its era. This is due to the low velocity of the projectile. The 8mm Steyr features a much higher energy with a very similar bullet weight: 7.3 grams, or 113 grains, and a muzzle velocity of 330 m/s. The muzzle energy of the projectile is 395 joules. The average maximum pressure for an 8mm Steyr cartridge is 2,300 bar (CIP). The average proof pressure for an 8mm Steyr cartridge is 2,990 bar (CIP). These same figures for the 8mm 1892 are 1,200 and 1,560.
One of the peaks is reached by the 7.63 Mauser cartridge, which, by propelling an 88-grain projectile at 440 m/s, delivers an energy of 550 joules (very close to the 9×19 cartridge at around 600 joules). The average maximum pressure for a 7.63 Mauser cartridge is 2,600 bar (CIP). The average proof pressure for a 7.63 Mauser cartridge is 3,380 bar (CIP).
In their book dedicated to Star and Ruby pistols, the authors present a ballistic table of French ammunition from the Great War, comparing the 8mm 1892 and the 7.65mm Browning. The energy of the projectiles is identical and is expressed in kgm: 19 kgm, which equates to 186 joules. This is even lower than the figure advertised by Fiocchi in its catalog.
The energy is the same for a 7.65 Browning and an 8mm 1892. How can it be said that the weakness of the 8mm 1892 ammunition caused the 1892 revolver to become obsolete when its replacement delivers the exact same energy? Was it truly the caliber alone that contributed to the obsolescence of the weapon?
The specifications of the 8mm 1892:
- Maximum bullet diameter (CIP): 8.28 mm;
- Groove diameter (CIP): 8.30 mm;
- Bore diameter (CIP): 8 mm;
- Twist rate (CIP): 1/240 mm;
- Maximum case length (CIP): 27.4 mm;
- Overall length (CIP): 37 mm;
- Bullet weight (Fiocchi): 7.2 g;
- Bullet weight (Book: Star and Ruby): 7.85 g;
- Muzzle velocity (Fiocchi): 260 m/s;
- Muzzle velocity (Book: Star and Ruby): 220 m/s;
- Muzzle energy (Fiocchi): approx. 245 Joules;
- Muzzle energy (Book: Star and Ruby): approx. 186 Joules;
- Average maximum pressure (CIP): 1,200 bar;
- Proof pressure (CIP): 1,560 bar.
The 8mm Mle 1892 cartridge is a rimmed ammunition, meaning it is primarily usable in revolvers.
Eight years after the adoption of the MAS Mle 1892 revolver and its 8mm cartridge, the Browning 1900 pistol and its 7.65mm Browning cartridge appeared on the market. This innovation would spawn a whole lineage of simply designed pistols with similar stopping power.
The 7.65mm Browning / .32 ACP cartridge
Introduced in 1899 by FN for use in its Mle 1900 semi-automatic pistol, the 7.65mm Browning cartridge would disrupt the handgun market. This low-pressure cartridge allowed the manufacturing of reliable and simple semi-automatic pistols, as they required no locking system. The absence of this type of mechanism significantly reduced the number of parts and their complexity. The high-profile actions of anarchists during this period contributed, through media exposure, to the spread of these new-generation handguns. The craze was immediate, turning into a massive popular success.
To study this cartridge, I will use another page from the same Fiocchi catalog. Here it is:
Several 7.65mm Browning cartridge references can be found on this catalog page. Depending on the bullet type and its velocity, the listed energy ranges from 175 to 280 joules. This latter value is achieved through the use of a high-velocity hollow-point projectile.
The aforementioned table from the Star and Ruby book provides the following data : bullet weight : 4.85 grams, bullet velocity : 270m/s, projectile energy : 186 joules.
- Maximum bullet diameter (CIP): 7.85 mm;
- Groove diameter (CIP): 7.83 mm;
- Bore diameter (CIP): 7.63 mm;
- Twist rate (CIP): 1/250 mm;
- Maximum case length (CIP): 17.2 mm;
- Overall length (CIP): 25 mm;
- Bullet weight (Book: Star and Ruby): 4.65 grams;
- Muzzle velocity (Book: Star and Ruby): 270 m/s;
- Muzzle energy (Book: Star and Ruby): 186 Joules;
- Average maximum pressure (CIP): 1,800 bar;
- Proof pressure (CIP): 2,340 bar.
The 7.65mm Browning case features a very slight rim. It is thanks to this rim that the cartridge is sometimes used in revolvers.
Since the projectile energy is the same, let us look for other lines of thought regarding the obsolescence of the MAS Mle 1892 revolver. Below, you can see some of the direct competitors to the MAS Mle 1892 service revolver.
The Browning 1900 pistol :
A massive commercial success, selling over 700,000 units between 1900 and 1912—which amounts to roughly 70,000 units manufactured per year… no less. The production volumes clearly show that this weapon met the expectations of both the public and government agencies. The pistol became simple, compact, and reliable… it was becoming accessible to all. The manufacturing quality was also a key factor in this success. Having had the opportunity to handle a Browning 1900 in the past, I can say it is a well-designed, well-crafted, and highly compact weapon. Obviously, it was bound to make the revolver obsolete. However, it forces the user to carry it with a round in the chamber and a cocked striker.
- Unloaded weight: 625 g;
- Overall length: 163 mm;
- Barrel length: 102 mm;
- Magazine capacity: 7 rounds.
The Browning 1910 pistol :
The Browning 1910 is the successor to the Browning 1900. It is a simpler weapon than its predecessor. Flawlessly designed, it would span the decades without undergoing any significant modifications. A very important feature on this weapon is the grip safety located on the back of the pistol grip. It would be manufactured between 1912 and 1975, with over 704,000 units produced.
- Weight of the 7.65mm version: approx. 590 g;
- Overall length: 153 mm;
- Barrel length: 88 mm;
- Magazine capacity of the 7.65mm version: 7 rounds.
The FN/COLT 1903 pistol :
Manufactured between 1903 and 1945, with over 572,000 units produced for the Colt 1903 and 153,000 for the FN 1903. It would serve as a blueprint for Spanish industrialists (among others) who simplified it, resulting in the Ruby pistol.
- Weight of the 7.65mm version: approx. 590 g;
- Overall length: 153 mm;
- Barrel length: 88 mm;
- Magazine capacity of the 7.65mm version: 7 rounds.
The Star et Ruby pistol
These weapons fought alongside the MAS Mle 1892 revolver in the trenches from 1914 to 1918. They represent a simplified version of the firearms from the major manufacturers mentioned above.
France equipped itself with this hardware to supplement its inventory without overtaxing the capacity of its national arsenals. The number of Ruby pistols sold to France amounted to 900,000, while the number of Star pistols sold to France stood at 24,000.
- Weight of the weapon (Ruby pistol): approx. 875 grams;
- Overall length (Ruby pistol): 157 mm;
- Barrel length (Ruby pistol): 87 mm;
- Magazine capacity (Ruby pistol): 7 to 9 rounds.
Conclusion
By bringing the above elements together, it can be seen that as soon as the Browning 1900 pistol was released (only 8 years after the adoption of the revolver), this automatic weapon outperformed the French regulation weapon of the time in certain areas:
- The weapon is lighter;
- The weapon is highly compact;
- The manufacturing is simple;
- The manufacturing quality is flawless;
- Maintenance is easy;
- The weapon has a smaller footprint;
- The reloading speed;
- The magazine capacity is superior.
It can be noted that the power of the 7.65mm ammunition is very close to (if not identical to) that of the 8mm 1892 cartridge. Despite this similarity, the 7.65 Browning caliber would be adopted by numerous countries and private users worldwide, prompting the manufacturing of millions of firearms. These weapons would equip various government forces well into the 1970s or even 1980s. This clearly demonstrates that criticisms regarding its power pale in comparison to the advantages offered by the principle of automatic operation. It then becomes possible to place multiple rounds onto a single target without having to worry about its stopping power or the weapon’s reloading time.
The 7.65mm Browning semi-automatic pistol therefore replaced or supplemented the MAS Mle 1892 revolver and its derivatives in some hearts and for specific uses. However, although its reloading takes longer and its capacity is lower, we must not forget that the revolver remains king across certain segments of the operational spectrum. The Germans’ use of the MAS Mle 1892 revolver on the Eastern Front during the Second World War clearly demonstrates this.
The rapid evolution of the industrial context in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development of smokeless powders, and advancements in steel manufacturing enabled a series of technological leaps forward, rendering certain weapons and warfare techniques obsolete. Swordsmanship in combat is a thing of the past, and the rationing of ammunition is fading away.
A constant demand for modernity and efficiency would bring another intermediate-diameter cartridge to the top step of the podium: the 9mm Luger (whose muzzle energy is close to 600 joules). But that is another story.
Était-ce la raison réelle ? Les pistolets modernes (modèles 1935A et 1935S) avait 8 cartouches dans leurs chargeur, était moins encombrant, et un prix de production certainement plus faible comparé à celle de très belle qualité du 1892 (idem MR73) ?
D’autre part le basculement à droite du barillet sur le 1892 hérité de ses prédécesseurs (cavalerie avec sabre + arme de poing) n’a pas dû favoriser sa survie, d’autant que la cavalerie s’est motorisée et le sabre plus trop pertinent. Le temps de rechargement d’un révolver comparé à un pistolet avec un chargeur ne lui est pas non plus favorable.
Et puis en face il y avait les pistolets semis automatiques avec des puissances de feu supérieures.
Ça fait beaucoup de choses, sans parler de la poudre noire spéciale….alors que nous avions inventé la poudre sans fumée.