More on Bodeo Revolvers (with pics)
Bill B
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 9:14:54 PM
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Hi guys , I'm here because I can't find any info,"at least in english" on a bodeo truppa I pickedup this weekend. Here we go,lower left front of frame is Glisenti over lion in a shield, over Brescia, over the date 1896 which is over a oval with crown over pb in it. Right rear frame has the number c7777, I think its a c. Right front of frame has a crown over RE over what looks like a K .Assembly number 34 . rear barrel flat has a star then # 28.90, ejector has same # plus the # 34. The gun appears unissued .Did the Italians rebuild these, how many were made and were these issued in WW2 ?? The pistol came in a beautiful green holster that has two buckle type hanging straps on it, which appears ww2 made.Thanks for any help Bill B
gianluca1962
Posted - 04/24/2006 : 11:26:23 PM
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Hi Bill,
for now enjoi this pages in Italian, somebody will be able to give You proper info or web site in English
http://www.exordinanza.net/schede/bodeo.htm
http://www.exordinanza.net/schede/bodeospagnola.htm
Lanceri Novara 5
Posted - 04/25/2006 : 06:19:26 AM
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Goodmorning Sirs,
I agree with Gianluca, main reference book or internet site is in italian. BTW I have "la '89" a nice small book of a famuos italians gun's student Luciano Salvatici. I'll do for Bill a summary of this book, so you can know the long service story of this bulk and reliable revolver. I love it, my father in law have one during duty service in Greece as a Breda 30 machinegunner, said he was sad when turned it with a new issued Beretta Modello 34.
I hope to have some action pics of this gun in my folders, if I find it I'll add to next post.
Lanceri Novara 5
Posted - 04/25/2006 : 1:20:23 PM
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Hallo Bill,
As I promise a little summary of Salvatici's book
The revolver Model 1874 Chamelot-Delvigne, issued by Italian Army in 1874 and chambered for 10,40 mm cartridge was a sturdy, reliable and updated gun, at the time.
Cavalry appreciated it much, infantry less because of weight and dimensions remarkable.
Glisenty Factory and an italian weapon designer, Carlo Bodeo studied a new gun improved.
Glisenti designed a revolver shorter, lighter and with folding trigger to reduce dimension. It was named Modello Glisenti.
Carlo Bodeo obtained some pattern for modification to model 1874 mechanics features. The hammer return in a safe position automatically as a function of the firearms action, a removable sideplate provides access to the trigger group, sideplate is fixed by a little lever on the rear of them, nothing to unscrew. Loading gate is Abadie style: when you open it to load or to remove fired rounds cases, the hammer is locked, trigger pression rotate cylinder chamber by chamber in line to action of ejector rod or to the loading operation.
In 1889 Italian Army issued a new revolver called Modello 1889, that incorporate the main feathures of Glisenti Model and Bodeo’s Patterns.
Modello 1889 was lighter and shorter than 1874, had a folding trigger. Solid frame, six chambers cylinder, suited to 10,40 regular Italian Army cartridge (to consent the use of 1889 and 1874 with same ammo). A removable sideplate is fixed by a lever on left side of gun. The plate fix the left wooden grip, right one is screw fixed. The left side of the frame displays the production date and factory markings. The right side of the frame displays issue markings. Italian army acceptance mark, "Crown over RE" is also stamped on the right side of the frame. The loading gate id a Sportello Abadie. Sturdy, reliable, simple, easy to produce, low cost Modello 1889 was old at the date of born. The updated revolver at the time was the top breack S&W and Webley&Scott compared to M1889, these gun was born young.
Modello 1889 was produced in 3 different variants
Modello 1889 Tipo Truppa o Tipo A (with folding trigger)
Modello 1889 Tipo Ufficiali o Tipo B (fixed trigger and trigger guard)
Modello 1889 Tipo Alleggerito (very late model shorter and lighter)
Many factory produced Modello 1889. At the biginning production was only by Regia Fabbrica d’Armi Brescia, late the FB have also check function on the production of other firm (you can find a crowned FB in a oval as a proof marck performed by Fabbrica Brescia). Guns was also produced by Glisenti, Toschi-Castelli, Mida, Bernardelli, Metallurgica Bresciana Tempini (late).
Because of shortage of handguns, during WWI, the Modello 1889 was also produced in Spain by some firms: Arizmendi y Goenaga, Arrostegui and Errasti. Quality of this revolver is poor .
This revolver remained in service with Italian armed Force for more 60 years. It was used in War of Libia, WWI, colonial war, Invasion of Eritrea and Albania WWII and later.
Also German army used this gun, after the 8 settembre 1943, it was considered a second line guns as many weapons captured here and there in Europe. Is Fremdengerate name was Revolver 680 (i) Italian revolver Model 1889 10.35mm.
Italians nicknamed this gun “coscia d’agnello” “leg of lamb” . Carabinieri issued it the more time that every other italian armed corps.
Excuse my for my poor english
Lanceri Novara 5
Posted - 04/25/2006 : 1:33:55 PM
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Well, I forget pics, sorry
Is there:
1) WWI Alpini officers with '89 holsters and laynards
2) WWI Alpini officer with '89 holster
3) Fascist guy with a '89 holster
4) Soldier with '89 in hand in AOI (Italian east Africa)
5) Exploded view of gun
All my best
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Bill B
Posted - 04/25/2006 : 10:57:26 PM
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Lanceri n5, Thank you ,thank you. What a mountain of information about the Modello 1889. A long service life for a revolver born to late but faithful to the men that used it. Your father in law must have been happy about carrying a lighter pistol if he was with a machine gun squad. What unit did he serve with? Do you know what the K means underneath the crown over RE? The pictures are great, its always a history lesson to see the guns in period pictures .The pics make me think my holster is WW2 issue. Thank you again for time and infomation, Bill B. P. S. It makes one wonder how this pistol never got issued when the Italian Army was always short of weapons??
Lanceri Novara 5
Posted - 04/26/2006 : 3:08:17 PM
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Hallo Bill,
Happy you enjoy text and pics, My father in law was in a Battaglione Camice Nere, a fascist combat unit, he was sad to turns is revolver with the ligther Beretta 34, also if he carried gun with two spare barrels. He said that revolver was more reliable, auto sometimes have malfunction revolver no, I think wartime production of cartridge was low quality. I never have a malfunction in my Beretta 34. I can't help you about K, it's new for me. I'll look around my fellows collectors with '89 if they know something about. About condition of your gun you mast know that many of these guns was refurbished or rebuilt after WWI, main part was turned in use during WWII, but may be some are not issued after refurbish. Many guns was also captured by allied in colony, were was issued to indigenous troops.
Description of your holster sounds like WWII model.
All my best
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jacklancer
