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Vincenti Bernadelli, GardoneValtrompia, Brescia, Italy. Many arms manufacturers such as Glisenti, Beretta, Bermardelli, and Castelli took part in its manufacture. On October 31, 1889 it was officially adopted a new revolver resulting from the various patents deposited by the Neapolitan arms manufacturer Carlo Bodéo.(ref Castelli) It was the official Italian side arm until replaced by the Glisenti 1910 Auto pistol, but then remained in service, as the M1910 was no success. It was chambered for the 10.35 mm Glisenti cartridge. The revolver was known under the name “thigh of lamb”. It is interesting to know also that during the first War a part of the production was entrusted to Spanish industries of Eibar, but the quality of these last was not always well finished. The period of manufacture extends from 1889 and ended about 1930, but it was still largely used during the Second World War. During this long production, more than seventy modifications were brought and this all confused models. The model with fixed trigger and a trigger guard, it was adopted in 1891 for the officers. The 1889 Bodeo type revolver is double action with Chamelot/ Delvigne design trigger mechanism. Pirlot Freres from Liege, Belgium were the patentees of the Chamelot/Delvigne design which were improved by Stabsmajor Schmidt. Hammer lift from the cartridge and lock in rest. Colt’s positive lock was copied from this design. Ingenious “Abadie” design allows the roll to be turned by the trigger, for quicker ejection of the cases. A pin on a swivel is used to push cases out through the loading gate. Different to the Webley pin on a swivel, this swivel rotates around the barrel and is much sturdier. A cover on the left side of the frame helps when cleaning the action’s mechanism. Commercial models had a folding trigger without a trigger guard. Ring for lanyard at the bottom of the grip. It was the Italian service arm. Due to the excellent design, this well made firearm was manufactured until the Second World War. It is classified as an antique in the USA. (Ref ‘Pistols and revolvers’ by Maj F Myatt, ‘Pistols of the world’ by Hogg and Weeks p43/49, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodeo_Model_1889 , https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Bernardelli/bernardelli.html )

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