Revolver · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
10.4mm Italian Ordnance
Italian military service revolver cartridge adopted for the Bodeo Model 1889 revolver — the standard Italian sidearm through both World Wars.
- Caliber
- 0.437″ · 11.1 mm
- Introduced
- 1874
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1874
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- Italy
- Inventor
- Italian military
- Manufacturer
- Italian Military
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 18.7 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Berdan Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 9,137 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 1–1.4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 10.4mm Italian Ordnance — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Cartridges of the World · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.10 | 0.437 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.86 | 0.428 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.80 | 0.465 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.20 | 0.520 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 19.80 | 0.780 | ~ |
| Overall length | 30.20 | 1.189 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 10.4mm Italian Ordnance is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 10.4mm Italian Ordnance
History
Adopted by the Italian Army in 1874 for the Chamelot-Delvigne revolver, later transitioning to the Bodeo M1889. The Bodeo M1889 served Italian officers and NCOs through WWI and WWII — an extraordinarily long service life for a 19th-century design. The cartridge's moderate performance was supplemented in WWII by widespread use of captured 9mm Glisenti and 9mm Luger pistols. Original Italian military ammunition is an antique collectible.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 10.4mm Italian Ordnance use?
- 10.4mm Italian Ordnance typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 10.4mm Italian Ordnance?
- 10.4mm Italian Ordnance uses a 0.437″ (11.1 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 10.4mm Italian Ordnance still in production?
- 10.4mm Italian Ordnance is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 10.4mm Italian Ordnance used for?
- 10.4mm Italian Ordnance is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Gun Digest Books — Cartridges of the World (Gun Digest Books, F. C. Barnes)
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
