Lindcott Armory Revolver · Obsolete
11mm French Ordnance
French military service revolver cartridge adopted in 1873 for the Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 revolver.
- Caliber
- 0.4512″ · 11.46 mm
- Introduced
- 1873
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1873
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- France
- Inventor
- French military (Gras)
- Manufacturer
- French Military
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 18 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Berdan Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 60 yd
- Recoil
- 2–3.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 11mm French Ordnance ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.74 | 0.462 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.80 | 0.465 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.50 | 0.492 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.40 | 0.055 | · |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 17.00 | 0.669 | ~ |
| Overall length | 30.00 | 1.181 | ~ |
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. 11mm French Ordnance is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 4 active loads across 4 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBC | Classic | 180 | Lead RN | 700 | 196 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Classic | 180 | Lead RN | 700 | 196 | — |
| Fiocchi | Lead RN | 180 | Lead RN | 650 | 169 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Lead RN Reproduction | 180 | Lead RN | 650 | 169 | — |
| Hirtenberger | HP Classic | 180 | Lead RN | 875 | 306 | — |
| RWS | RWS Classic | 180 | Lead RN | 875 | 306 | — |
| Gaudet | Standard | 180 | LRN | 820 | 269 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 180 | Lead Round Nose | 790 | 249 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 11mm French Ordnance
1 model in the database chamber 11mm French Ordnance. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Adopted in 1873 for the Model 1873 revolver — France's first modern metallic cartridge military revolver. Served through the colonial era until replaced by the 8mm Lebel revolver cartridge in 1892. The Model 1873 revolver is a solid double-action design with strong collector appeal. Original French military ammunition is museum-quality antique material.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 11mm French Ordnance use?
- 11mm French Ordnance typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 11mm French Ordnance?
- 11mm French Ordnance uses a 0.4512″ (11.46 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 11mm French Ordnance still in production?
- 11mm French Ordnance is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 11mm French Ordnance used for?
- 11mm French Ordnance is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
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 →