Looking Into Adding an Antique Revolver To Add to The Collection

[u/ArisakaType99_]

Hi all, I’m in the market for an antique status revolver, as that’s all I can get since I don’t qualify for exemption. Basically I boiled it down to three potential contenders 1.) the German 1883 Reich Revolver, 2.) the 1889 Bodeo, and lastly 3.) the 1892 French Ordnance Revolver. My budget is roughly $3500-$4000, and I would like to know which one is best in terms of value, and ease of acquiring brass and bullet or factory ammo. How well do these revolver holdup to use, are any of them weaker than the others and more prone to breakage? From what I understand the 1883 was build like a tank but is not the most ergonomic piece.

Smokeless powder… Can I use smokeless powder in all of them? I intend to mostly use black powder anyways, it’s just nice to have that option. Is there any common issue with any of these revolver that I should be aware of before purchasing.

Thank you all for the advice

[u/Vintage_Pieces_10]

Might I suggest as well looking at a French MAS 1873? Often reamed for .45ACP (don’t run factory though, reload low pressure smokeless), it’s about half the cost of most antiques, clocking in at around 2000-2200$ and is sturdy as all hell, despite its age.

Also, I recommend Menno on gunpost to buy from. I’ve purchased two of my three antiques from him (MAS 1873 and Swiss 1882) and he’s a no nonsense, honest seller who’s got literally the lowest prices on antiques, sometimes by over 1000$ that other sellers are selling. About once or twice a month he has a MAS 1873 revolver for sale.

Edit: here’s a link of the MAS 1873 shooting https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/s/BOHAdIXrf7

Edit: here’s a link of the Swiss 1882 shooting https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/s/8RnnkxiyEE

Edit: and for fun, here’s a link of the antique Webley shooting (which while cool, repairs have been a pain in the ass with lots of home jobs to fix) https://www.reddit.com/r/canadaguns/s/adLhQGc3Q6