Revolver · Obsolete
11mm German Service
Imperial German military service revolver cartridge for the Reichsrevolver Models 1879 and 1883 — the standard German officer sidearm until replaced by the Luger P08 in the 1900s..
- Caliber
- 0.446″ · 11.328 mm
- Introduced
- 1879
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1879
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- German military
- Manufacturer
- German Military
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 22 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Berdan Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 75 yd
- Recoil
- 2–3.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 11mm German Service — 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 ⌀ | 11.33 | 0.446 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.81 | 0.465 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 12.95 | 0.510 | · |
| Shoulder angle | — | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 13.11 | 0.516 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.88 | 0.586 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 2.31 | 0.091 | ~ |
| Neck length | — | — | |
| Case length | 60.00 | 2.362 | · |
| Overall length | 77.66 | 3.057 | ~ |
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 German Service is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 11mm German Service? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
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.
Connected reference
History
Adopted with the Reichsrevolver Modell 1879, Germany's first standard military metallic cartridge revolver. The single-action Reichsrevolver was considered stodgy by contemporaries (most nations had adopted double-action revolvers by 1883) but served reliably through WWI with second-line and officer personnel after the Luger became the primary service pistol. Reichsrevolvers are common German Empire antiques. Original ammunition is museum-quality.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 11mm German Service use?
- 11mm German Service typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 11mm German Service?
- 11mm German Service uses a 0.446″ (11.328 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 11mm German Service still in production?
- 11mm German Service is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 11mm German Service used for?
- 11mm German Service is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →