From European Sporting Cartridges (Dixon): This cartridge dates from around 1891 when SFM produced a range of cartridges in 7, 9, 12 and 15mm calibers for ‘Martini-Francotte’ Carbines. These rifles were produced until at least 1908. An example of the 9mm type with “GG CANNE 9” headstamp was found on a pre-1900 SFM display board and is also known from 1891 factory sheet showing a 9.85mm base. This therefore appears to be a factory ball loading of the 9mm Canne Shot case and both CF and I/P cases loaded with ball are found with typical Canne headstamps.

The similarity with this case and the German CF 9.1x40R G Tesching (introduced c1879 (see T35) is obvious. In fact SFM drawing 9504 dated September 1894 shows a 9.1x40R G CF case with “H.UTENDOERFFER NURNBERG” headstamp and Martini-Francotte designation. The only problem is that the “G” case has a 10.25mm base whilst the Canne/Francotte case has a 9.85mm base. It may well have been that Canne sized cases were originally used in the carbine and then c1894 the 9.1x40R G was adapted to this weapon. Both may well be interchangeable but the ball loadings of the 12mm case will evidently not chamber in the Canne guns and so these loadings were definitely intended for other weapons (these carbines?). (Dixon Ref. FR10)