Exact date of development is uncertain. Sometime between German unification (following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71), and formal adoption of the Reichsrevolver in 1879.
The 10.6×25mmR German Ordnance cartridge, also called the 10.6mm Reichsrevolver, the 10.6mm Service Ordnance, or the 10.55mm German cartridge, is a pistol cartridge designed by the then newly formed German Empire for their first two official service revolvers the M1879 & M1883 Reichsrevolvers.
It is believed to have been influenced by, or developed from the .44 Russian cartridge, which had been developed by the American firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson for the Armies of Imperial Russia.
History
When they were adopted by Imperial Germany, both the 10.6×25mmR German Ordnance cartridge and the Reichsrevolver had already been surpassed by more advanced developments already in use by other nations and empires of Europe and the Americas. The 10.6×25mm German Ordnance cartridge would be slowly phased out and replaced in German service by the modern 9×19mm Parabellum round with the adoption of the Pistole Parabellum 1908 (more commonly called the Luger pistol) in 1908, and would be used alongside its successor, the 9×19mm Parabellum, in World War I, and would see minimal use through the period of World War II, before finally being completely phased out.[1][2]
