What was the weight (preferably in grains) and speed (preferably
muzzle velocity in feet per second) of the projectile fired by the
Italian 10.4mm Model 1889 service revolver using standard Italian
military service ammunition? Did this pistol fire plain lead or metal
jacketed bullets?

Hello chrisnp

I found an Italian firearms site which explains that models 1874 and
1889 fired the same ammunition.
The lead bullet weighed 11.6 grams (179 grains).
The cartridge contained 1.3 grams of fine-grained black powder.

From 1890 the ammunition was different. The new weight of the bullet
was 11.3 grams (174 grains), and it was plated in brass. Ballistite
was used instead of black powder.

Cartuccia a pallottola per pistola modello ?74 ed ?89
http://www.exordinanza.net/schede/1035ita.htm

Machine translation of the page:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.exordinanza.net%2Fschede%2F1035ita.htm&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools


The speed (initial velocity) was 250 metres per second (820 feet per second).

Bodeo  mod. 1889
http://www.vecio.it/1889.htm

Machine translation:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vecio.it%2F1889.htm&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

It is rather confusing that model 1889 is sometimes described as 10.4,
and sometimes 10.35.

" . . . an Italian model 1889 (Bodeo) revolver. . . . . It is
chambered for the Italian 10.35mm (sometimes called 10.4mm) black
powder cartridge."
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976387322.htm


I worked on your question because I could read the language, not
because I'm a gun expert, so please forgive me if I haven't used the
right technical terms. You are welcome to ask for clarification if
necessary.


I hope this is helpful!

Best wishes - Leli


searches:

1889 italian revolver
bodeo pallottola
velocità modello 1889

Thanks for the reply!