Purchased my first true antique today ---》1882 Swiss Ordnance revolver UPDATED PICS !

Overall length is 38mm. They fit perfectly when sized with a 30 Carbine die. There is still approx. 1.5mm of space left in the cylinders.

There is still plenty of space in the case to increase the charge. I will take each load incrementally and look for pressure signs. So far, this is still very light.

Fiocchi makes a Swiss Ordnance load that is rated at 1200 fps and no reported failures. I doubt I'm pushing 800 fps.

I will make you up a few. I just need some time! Bloody work is killing me.

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UPDATE:

I did a measurement comparison to a surplus 7.5 Swiss Ordnance round:

8.95 vs 8.85 (base)
8.32 vs 8.31 (neck)

So, the handload is 0.1mm smaller at the base, and negligible difference at the neck. Close enough.
 
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Thank you for the info. Yes this load at this length will be mild. You can go a bit hotter. You do not want to go too far with this load. 900 fps should be enough to have fun and not beat up on this gun. Remember its a black powder gun. I know the quality is excellent but...best to get a chronograph. By the time you will see the pressure signs you will have exceeded the safe levels by far. Would hate to see that beauty damaged. I am working on new cartridge for this again. I have thought about it and it will be ready soon. PM sent.
 
drslav said:
Thank you for the info. Yes this load at this length will be mild. You can go a bit hotter. You do not want to go too far with this load. 900 fps should be enough to have fun and not beat up on this gun. Remember its a black powder gun. I know the quality is excellent but...best to get a chronograph. By the time you will see the pressure signs you will have exceeded the safe levels by far. Would hate to see that beauty damaged. I am working on new cartridge for this again. I have thought about it and it will be ready soon. PM sent.
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That's one of the safest ways.. enjoy
 
I am heading down to Calgary shooting center tomorrow morning to pick one up like yours with a box of original ammo as well, also comes with a holster.

I'll post pics of her in this thread I guess, no point starting a new one.
 
The Kurgan said:
You will be pleased. I just whipped up 115 handloads using 32-20 brass.
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Yeah I'm hoping I will be happy with her, 98% bluing and 75% straw finish. They say she is mechanically excellent as well which is the most important for me.

I already have lots of experience with french m1892 8mm ord revolvers so this one shouldn't be that big of an issue.

I will post pics of her tomorrow evening.
 
if you reloading for 1892 french i have worked out a load using same length brass with a 98-100 grain .311 lead for a Swede. Basically same thing just slightly neck sized to accommodate smaller bullet. This way you can use same brass, powder measure and sizing die. Only thing you will need is to neck down with 32 SW and seat the bullet with SW seater. I will post some pics tomorrow.
 
Just an FYI, if you reload using 32-20 brass, it is best to file down the rims a bit. The rim thickness is such that there is almost no play between the revolver frame and cylinder. The factory ammunition have thinner rims. Because of brass inconsistency, and as a result of cases stretching after firing, you may experience binding. I simply filed down all my rims, basically removing the head stamps, polished with a dremel and 2000 grit sandpaper. Job done. This will ensure no binding.
 
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The Kurgan said:
Another beauty!! Congrats, you must be thrilled. That ammo wasn't cheap, was it? ;)
I don't know if the brass is reuseable, but I would save it, and reload.
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Very excited indeed as they are beautiful guns, that's the only way to describe them really.

lol no the ammo was not cheap at all but I had to have at least 1 original box for it. I haven't even opened it and I don't think I want to.

I don't think this military surplus ammo is very common. I'd certainly buy a few more boxes of it if I could find it though.
 
Basically, military ammo is all but gone. CCS is basically rationing it, and selling up to 2 boxes (maximum) for each revolver sold. They don't have more than a few revolvers, and thereore, only a few more boxes of ammo. You are limited to reloading. There are no commerical options. Fiocchi discontinued production in 2012.

I would recommend you purchase the proper dies for this revolver. They are available as a special order from Huntingtons (RCBS), but there's a 3-4 month wait. You can also use the Swedish Nagant dies, now currently available from RCBS. I would get the later, as there are NO dimensional differences, except the Swedish Nagant uses a slighter larger diameter bullet.

Everybody uses 32-20 brass, either full length, or cut to spec. The later is probably your best bet to ensure 100% function, unless you like to tinker to perfection. ;)
 
To correct you the swede actually slugs out at .309 so the bullet is actually smaller but is wrapped in paper. Strange but I can post a picture. I reload it with .311 soft lead. By new Brass is cut to 27 mm as the 8mm lebel. Ammo looks sweet
 
I scored another box of ammo from calgary shooting center, it was already opened before so they let it go.

The copper jackets have corrosion on them, but the cases are very nice. I wonder if the beeswax has acids in it that corroded the bullets over time?.

I'm not even sure if these would still go off reliably because they are loaded with swiss Black powder and if the bullets look like that, perhaps they have let moisture in?.

 
That corrosion will polish off with steel wool. One of my boxes was also opened. I picked the two ugliest bullets, cleaned of the wax and polished them... they look brand new. I use them for measurements.
 
I have reworked my 7,5 reloads here as they are now: I use 311-312 98-100 grain lead. Brass cut to 27 mm with 2.6-2.8gn trailboss. It Can also be done with brass cut same as .32 S&W. Loaded 2.4-2.6gn of trailboss.
Use this info at your own risk!!
To get this cartridge cut the 32-20 size with 30 carbine Die or 7,62 nagant die or 8 mm lebel die. Neck down with 32S&W die and load and crimp the bullet with .32 S&W die. Or .30 luger works good too instead of S&W
Here in the photo to compare

1. 32-20 Winchester
2. 8mm Lebel Fiocchi
3. 8mm reload
4. 7.5mm reload (improved)
5. 7.5mm factory antique
6. 7.5mm reload (original) this can be loaded with S&W dies.
7. .32 S&W factory

photo_zps6fc141b7.jpg
 
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The Kurgan said:
That corrosion will polish off with steel wool. One of my boxes was also opened. I picked the two ugliest bullets, cleaned of the wax and polished them... they look brand new. I use them for measurements.
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Did you actually measure the bore to see what size it was? I am curious but cant remember if you already told me this.
 
The bore is .3055. Very tight. But, it seems to handle .314 lead wadcutters well.

Just an FYI that I dismantled a 1970 headstamp factory Swiss Ordnance round. Here are the specs:

Bullet is 108 grains, .319 diameter, and is a true FMJ, not a lightly jacketed lead round.
Case contains 10.1 grains of BP separated by a wax cardboard wad.
Berdan primed. I would love to reload this brass as it is much superior to anything else I've seen.
Where to find Berdan primers?
 
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