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
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 11mm French 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.
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
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 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 →