I picked up this Italian 1889 Bodeo service revolver the other day.



It's a bit finish-challenged, but it fits into my WWII pistol collection. It fires the 10.4mm Italian Ordnance cartridge, a S&W .44 Russian-equivalent round, which is widely available on your local dealers' shelves. It is a six shot, gate-loading, rod-ejecting, solid frame revolver that appears to be well-made. This version is for enlisted personnel as it has a folding trigger with no trigger guard. Contrary to many erroneous sources, it is double action, not single action. The trigger clips to the underside of the frame, and can be pulled down, or it releases as the hammer is cocked.

Here's another picture with the trigger in firing position.



That little lever at the top of the left stock is not a safety - it's a takedown screw that removes the sideplate. The action is a simple, Chamelot-Delvigne type with a positive rebound lever. The action is only completely locked when the trigger is back (like the Japanese T26), but it locks up very well and times correctly. B/C gap is 0.005" with about 0.002" endshake.

This picture shows the other side.



The loading gate cams backwards, not out. The cylinder has recessed chambers for the cartridge rims. When the loading gate is open, the hammer is locked, although working the trigger revolves the cylinder. The double action is heavy, but smooth. Sights are robust with a surprisingly good sight picture.

So how will I feed this beast? The picture below shows two 10.4 mm cases next to the parent .44-40 case they came from.



Case length is 0.89", and the required taper on the case is done with a .303 British sizing die. Bullet diameter is 0.422"-0.425", and weight is 200 grains. I have some on order. Seating will be done with a .45 ACP seater, and crimp will be with a die yet to be determined. Loading will be .44 Russian levels, 200 grains at 800 fps.

It's an interesting old gun. I'm kind of anxious to get it to the range.


Buck