Revolver · Military · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
12mm Lefaucheux
The 12mm Lefaucheux is a pinfire revolver cartridge adopted by the French Navy in 1858 for the Lefaucheux M1858 revolver; it served until 1892..
- Caliber
- 0.4449″ · 11.3 mm
- Introduced
- 1858
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1858
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- France
- Inventor
- Eugène Lefaucheux (approx: Lefaucheux system)
- Manufacturer
- Lefaucheux (approx)
- Standard
- Military · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 20.6 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Pinfire
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 14,500 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–5.2 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 12mm Lefaucheux, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · secondary source| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.30 | 0.445 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.80 | 0.465 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.90 | 0.469 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.60 | 0.496 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 0.94 | 0.037 | · |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 19.90 | 0.783 | · |
| Overall length | 30.80 | 1.213 | · |
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. 12mm Lefaucheux is highlighted below.
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 12mm Lefaucheux
Connected reference
History
Adopted 1858 by the French Navy; later army use; obsolete by 1892.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 12mm Lefaucheux use?
- 12mm Lefaucheux typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 12mm Lefaucheux?
- 12mm Lefaucheux uses a 0.4449″ (11.3 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 12mm Lefaucheux still in production?
- 12mm Lefaucheux is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is 12mm Lefaucheux used for?
- 12mm Lefaucheux is primarily used for military.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
