Although replaced by the Modele 1892 revolver, it was nevertheless widely used during the First World War and issued to reserve units in 1940.

A more powerful cartridge was produced for this version, but production ceased and they turned to the regular ammunition when the stocks were depleted.

A great military tradition and esprit de corps can be defeated by superior training, and in the case of that war, artillery.

The sword continued to be the symbol of authority for an officer on the battlefield all the way into World War I. European general staffs at that time were extremely conservative and pistols were sometimes grudgingly adopted as personal defense weapons with no practical offensive use.

Even as pistols became more of a symbol of the officer, most preferred to privately purchase a smaller and more comfortable handgun instead of using a large standard issue revolver.

The Chamelot-Delvigne 11mm Modele 1873 was adopted by the French army as a service revolver for non-commissioned officers.

The trigger, hammer, and several of the internal springs were straw-finished, a type of case-hardening hot oil finish.

Many saw service in World War I when European armies finally realized how important pistols were in the trenches.

The Chamelot-Delvigne finally ended its venerable service as a police sidearm in World War II.