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| origin = [[Kingdom of Italy]]
| type = [[Service revolver]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = YES
<!-- Service history -->| is_rangedservice = YES
<!-- Service history -->
| used_by = [[Royal Italian Army]]
| wars = [[Italo-Turkish War]]<br /> [[Boxer Rebellion]]<br /> [[World War I]]<br /> [[Second Italo-Abyssinian War]]<br /> [[Spanish Civil War]]<br /> [[World War II]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer =
| designerdesign_date = =
| design_date manufacturer =
| manufacturerunit_cost =
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1889 to c. 1931
| number =
| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|950|g|lboz|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|232|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|115|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge = {{ill|10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana|it|10,35 × 20 mm}}
| cartridge_weight =
| cartridge = 10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana
| cartridge_weightcaliber =
| caliberbarrels =
| barrelsaction = [[Single-action]]
| actionrate = [[Double action]]=
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|256|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} <ref name="Miller">{{cite book|first = David|last=Miller|title=Fighting Men of World War II, Volume I: Axis Forces--Uniforms, Equipment, and Weapons (Fighting Men of World War II)|year=2007 |publisher = Stackpole Books|isbn=978-0-8117-0277-5|page=348}}</ref>
| range =
| max_range =
| feed = 6 round cylinder
| sights = Fixed iron sights
}}
The '''Bodeo Model 1889''' ({{lang-langx|it|Pistola a Rotazione, Sistema Bodeo, Modello 1889}}) was an Italian revolver named after the head of the Italian firearm commission, Carlo Bodeo. It was produced by a wide variety of manufacturers between 1889 and 1931 in both Spain and Italy. The Bodeo was employed by the [[Royal Italian Army]] in [[World War I]], the [[Interwar]] Italian colonial wars, and [[World War II]]. The Bodeo comeswas manufactured in twothree distinct varieties, withthe Tipo A for Enlisted soldiers, the onlyTipo superficialB weaponsfor differencesOfficers.
==History==
Made by a large variety of Italian gun-makers, the Bodeo became the service revolver of the Italian Army in 1891.<ref name="pow49">[[Ian V. Hogg|Hogg, Ian]], ''Pistols of the World 4th Edition'' (2004) p. 49</ref> The revolver was named after the head of the Italian commission that recommended its adoption, Carlo Bodeo.<ref name="bbg">McNab, Chris, ''The Great Book of Guns'' (2004) p. 105</ref> It remained the principle handgun of the Italian Army until it was increasingly supplanted by the [[Glisenti Model 1910]].<ref name="pow49" /> The revolver was never declared obsolete and remained as a reserve weapon until the end of World War II.<ref name="msa">Hogg, Ian, ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century 7th Edition'' (2000) p. 59</ref> The Italian manufacturers identified with the production of the Bodeo include: Societa Siderurgica Glisenti, Castelli of Brescia, Metallurgica Bresciana, and [[Vincenzo Bernardelli S.p.A. (firearms)|Vincenzo Bernardelli]] of Gardone Val Trompia.<ref name="pow50">Hogg, Ian, ''Pistols of the World 4th Edition'' (2004) p. 50</ref> During World War I, Spanish manufacturers Errasti and Arrostegui of Eibar produced the Bodeo for the Italian government.<ref name="pow50" /> The Italians nicknamed this revolver ''coscia d’agnello'' ("leg of lamb"). During World War II, the [[Wehrmacht]] designated the Bodeo as ''Revolver 680(i)'' when utilized as an alternative firearm.<ref>Luciano Salvatici. ''Pistole Militari Italiane''</ref>
==Design details==
The Bodeo Model 1889 is a solid-framed, six-shot revolver.<ref name="pow50" /> The barrel, the cylinder, the trigger components, the loading gate, the ejection rod, the springs and the screws were made in steel; while the frame, the backplate, and the ejection rod collar were made of iron. An external hammer block drop safety was designed and retrofitted to many revolvers in 1894, though this external hammer block safety was replaced with an internal safety during an arsenal refinishing program in 1915.<ref>{{cite book |page = 36 |last1=Pettinelli |first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref> Prior to [[World War I]], the infantry version of the Bodeo was originally produced "in the white". The Italians underwent a program to arsenal refinish many revolvers in 1915, with changes including [[Bluing (steel)|bluing]] the revolvers and installation of an internal hammer block drop safety. Later models of the Bodeo were blued from the factory.<ref name="Page 40">{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 40 |first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
Prior to the [[First World War]], the infantry version of the Bodeo was originally produced "in the white". The Italians underwent a program to arsenal refinish many revolvers in 1915, with changes including [[Bluing (steel)|bluing]] the revolvers and installation of an internal hammer block drop safety. Later models of the Bodeo were blued from the factory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 40 |first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
==Variations==
The revolver was designed in two distinct versions: The Type A Enlisted model, with an octagonal-barreled version with a folding trigger; and a Type B officer's model, with round-barreled version designed with a trigger guard,<ref name="bbg"/> The octagonal-barreled version was produced for rank and file Italian soldiers, while the round-barreled version was produced for [[non-commissioned officers]] and field officers.<ref name="pow50"/> The folding trigger version was produced in greater numbers.<ref name="msa"/>
The Bodeo revolver was issued in 3 primary variations:
[[File:Sistema bodeo.jpg|thumb|1890 Production Tipo A Bodeo with correct in the white finish and external safety]]
===Tipo A Enlisted Model===
[[File:Bodeo Holster.jpg|thumb|WW1 Production Tipo A Bodeo with internal hammer block safety and blued finish]]
The Type A Enlisted model has an 4.5" octagonal barrel with a distinctive iconic folding trigger. This variation was first produced by the [[Brescia Arsenal|Royal Arms Factory at Brescia]] from 1889–1891, then, by Glisenti at Brescia from 1891–1906. Early production Bodeo revolvers were produced in the white (i.e., unfinished), and will have an external hammer block safety.<ref name="Page 40" /> Production was paused until the [[Italo-Turkish war]] in 1911, when production was resumed by Toschi e Castelli. Upon [[ Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_IMilitary |history of Italy during World War I|entering WWIWorld War I in 1915]], the Italians contracted with many private producers to produce Bodeo revolvers, including Toschi e Castelli, Mida Gia a Castelli, and Mida Brescia. The Italians also contracted several Spanish firms from [[ Eibar | The Eibar]] to produce Bodeo Tipo A revolvers during WW1the war. Later Italo-Turkish War and WWIWorld War I variants of the Tipo A revolver will have an internal hammer block safety. Many early producitonproduction Bodeo revolvers from the pre-war production were arsenal rebluedre-blued and retrofitted with the internal hammer safety in 1915 in preparation for [[Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_I |Italy's entrance to WW1]]. the war.<ref name="Page 40" /> {{cite bookProduction |last1=Pettinelliof |Tipo pageA =revolvers 40continued |first1=Ruggeroafter F.the |title=Bodeowar 1889until the late 1920s for a total production of approximately 300,000. IlAll revolverItalian deglimanufactured italianiTipo |date=2015A |publisher=Edisportrevolvers Editorialehave |isbn=978a year of manufacture stamped on the left side of the frame, while some Eibar- 8888593579}}contracted revolvers lack this year marking.< /ref name="Page 40" /> ▼
The TypeTipo AB EnlistedRevolvers modelcan hasbe andistinguished 4.5"from octagonalTipo barrel,A withrevolvers aby distinctivethe iconicpresence foldingof a trigger guard. This variation was first producedmanufactured by themany [[Brescia_Arsenal|Royalfirms Armsboth Factorybefore atand Brescia]]after fromWorld 1889-1891War I, thenand bymany GlisentiTipo at Brescia from 1891-1906. Early production BodeoB revolvers were producedadopted infor theuse whiteby (i.e.,local police unfinished)forces, andas willwell haveas an externalthe hammerItalian blockcustom's safetyofficers. <ref name="Page 78">{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 40 78|first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
▲Production was paused until the [[Italo-Turkish war]] in 1911, when production was resumed by Toschi e Castelli. Upon [[Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_I | entering WWI in 1915]], the Italians contracted with many private producers to produce Bodeo revolvers, including Toschi e Castelli, Mida Gia a Castelli, and Mida Brescia. The Italians also contracted several Spanish firms from [[Eibar | The Eibar]] to produce Bodeo Tipo A revolvers during WW1. Later Italo-Turkish War and WWI variants of the Tipo A revolver will have an internal hammer block safety. Many early produciton Bodeo revolvers from the pre-war production were arsenal reblued and retrofitted with the internal hammer safety in 1915 in preparation for [[Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_I |Italy's entrance to WW1]]. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 40 |first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
Production of Tipo A revolvers continued after WW1 until the late 1920's, for a total production of approximately 300,000. All Italian manufactured Tipo A revolvers will have a year of manufacture stamped on the left side of the frame, while some [[Eibar]] contracted revolvers will lack this year marking. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 40 |first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
===Tipo B Officer's Model===
[[Image:Regio Arsenale di Brescia mark.jpg|left|thumb|Savoy Crest as seen on a Tipo B Officer's Model]]
The Type B Officer's model has an 4.5" octagonal barrel, with a trigger guard. This variation was first produced by the [[Brescia_Arsenal|Royal Arms Factory at Brescia]] from 1891-1893, where only ~9000 copies were made. Production was continued by Glisenti at Brescia from 1891-1906, where another 10,000 copies were made. These Brescia and Glisenti-Brescia made Tipo B revolvers are distinctive of having a [[Bluing_(steel)|slow rust blued]] finish and finely checkered grips. These Tipo B revolvers will also have the [[House of Savoy| Crest of Savoy]] on the left-hand side of the frame. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 76|first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
Importantly, there was no serial production of Tipo B Officer's model revolvers after 1906. An estimated total of fewer than 18,000 Tipo B Officer's model revolvers were ever manufactured.
The Tipo B Officer's model revolver should ''not'' be confused with the Modello Allegrito, which also has a trigger guard, but has a round 3.5" barrel, and were never manufactured until [[Armistice_of_11_November_1918|after the end of WW1]].
===Modello Allegrito (Lightened Model)===
[[File:Modello allegrito.jpg|thumb|Modello Allegrito with distinctive 3.5" Rounded Barrel]]
The Modello Allegrito has a 3.5" rounded barrel and a trigger guard. Because of the presence of a trigger guard, the Modello Allegrito is often mistaken by inexperienced collectors for the Tipo B officer's model revolver.
Importantly, however, the Modello Allegrito revolver has a rounded 3.5" barrel, which is the key diferentiating feature from the Tipo B Officer's Model revolvers. Modello Allegrito revolvers were also [[Bluing_(steel)|hot caustic blued]] instead of rust blued.
Further, the Modello Allegrito production only began in 1922, long after the [[Armistice_of_11_November_1918|ending of WWI]]. The Modello Allegrito was never used by the [[Royal Italian Army]], and instead was primarily issued to Italian police forces, such as the [[Guardia di Finanza|Italian Custom's Officers]].
Modello Allegrito revolvers are found without year of manufacture, though can be readily identified as they were manufactured by [[https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societ%C3%A0_Metallurgica_Bresciana|Metallurgica Bresciana gia Tempini]] or Napoleone e Vittorio Castelli.
Production continued until late 1926, for a total production of an estimated 50,000 Modello Allegrito revolvers. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Pettinelli | page = 120|first1=Ruggero F. |title=Bodeo 1889. Il revolver degli italiani |date=2015 |publisher=Edisport Editoriale |isbn=978-8888593579}}</ref>
===Alternates===
A few alternate models exist, such as Bodeo pattern revolvers manufactured for commercial sale. These often have mechanically distinctive features such as different lockwork that differs from the primary models of the Bodeo revolver.
==Mechanics==
Frames were made from a wide variety of materials ranging from brass to brazed copper plates.<ref>Kinard, Jeff. ''Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact'', p. 157, ABC-CLIO, Inc. 2003.</ref> The loading gate was connected to the hammer via the Abadie patent<ref name="msa"/> with the barrel screwed into the frame.<ref name="bbg"/> Ejection was achieved by the rod normally housed in the hollow axis pin.<ref name="bbg"/> The hammer block was designed to prevent firing unless the trigger was fully cocked.<ref name="msa"/>
== Users ==
• {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
• {{flag|Nazi Germany}} (Designated as ''Revolver 680(i).)''
==References==
{{reflistReflist}}
{{WWIItalianInfWeapons}}
[[Category:Revolvers of Italy]]
[[Category:Military revolvers]]
[[Category:Single-action revolvers]]
[[Category:World War I Italian infantry weapons]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany]]
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