Original Item: Only One Available. This revolver is particularly interesting, in that it introduced the addition of a single action feature to what had previously been a double action only model up until that time, known as the "1st Model". Tranter historian and collector Jim Hallam has estimated that less than fifty of these revolvers survive today, so every example is exceedingly scarce. The revolver features a double trigger set up where the lower trigger, outside the trigger guard, revolves the cylinder and drew the hammer back. However, this did not leave the hammer cocked, and due to a spring safety on the left side of the frame, the hammer cannot reach the cylinder unless the lower trigger is pulled back, so releasing the lower trigger cannot fire the weapon.

Only by depressing the upper trigger on the inside of the trigger guard while the lower trigger was pulled back would the hammer then fall and discharge the weapon. The trigger pull on the inner trigger is much lighter, and in a way this is almost a hybrid of double and single action. The hammer is usually spurless, so the triggers are the only way to cock and fire the gun. This particularly type of action is called the "Treble" action, and they are exceedingly rare to find. These were produced in two models, with the main difference being the method of attachment for the loading lever. "1st Model" Tranters had no lever at all, while the "2nd Model" introduced a lever that attached to a keyed pin on the left side of the frame. It was intended to be removed and stored when not in use, however these often ended up getting lost, so the "3rd Model" had the lever retained by a screw.

This is a fantastic ENGRAVED example of a 2nd Model Tranter Revolver in 54 bore (about 0.44"), which looks fantastic with "bank note" engraving on both sides of the frame, on the breech end sides of the barrel, and even on the butt cap! The fit and finish are far ahead of its time, with a lovely deep blue color that is still well retained on the barrel and sides of the frame, while the area around the cylinder and top strap shows wear from powder burn. This example is marked with serial № 2975 T. on the right side of the frame, and is offered in fully functional condition. The "T" Suffix is absolutely correct for a "Treble Action" revolver, indicating manufacture after 1856. Based on records we have been able to find, this revolver was very early production, produced about 1857.

The top strap engraving on the revolver is still fully legible, and reads:-

Francis Marquis B'te

boulevard des Italiens 4 Paris.

This retailer and gunmaker was well known at the type, making both high end bespoke pieces as well as trading only in the finest quality firearms available, which definitely describes this revolver well. The revolver is still fitted with a loading rammer arm on the left side of the barrel, and is marked on this with the correct W. TRANTER'S / № / PATENT oval marking, which is also stamped on the left side of the rear trigger. The upper left facet of the barrel is marked with the correct CROWN / GP "Gunmaker's Proof" and CROWN / V "Viewed" markings from the London Gun Company proof house.

The revolver is in lovely condition, with much of the original high gloss blued finish still present. It does look to have seen a good amount of use, judging from the powder burn around the top strap of the cylinder, so this was not a showpiece but a revolver purchased to use. The checkered wood grip is in great shape, with the checkering still strong and showing little to no wear or damage.

Functionally the revolver works exactly as it should, with the lower trigger cocking the action and the upper trigger firing it. It should be noted that this version of the action does not have any provision for holding the hammer in the cocked position, so the lower trigger must be held while the upper is pulled. The cylinder cycles correctly after being dry fired. The revolver can still be taken down correctly by pulling the arbor pin, retained by a lever on the right forward frame. The bore is in good condition, still showing rifling but it is definitely faint, with past fouling and oxidation evident throughout the interior. The 2nd Model loading rammer can be easily removed from the revolver by rotating it until the keyed post lines up.

To make this offering even better, it came to us with a fantastic custom wood case, which measures approximately 14" x 7 1/2" x 2 3/8", and has a large Cogswell & Harrison label applied on the inside of the lid. The case interior has different compartments inside, all green felt lined, which are for various accessories one might use with the pistol. Included with this magnificent Tranter are a very nice small bronze powder flask, a small oiler / grease container with applicator, a flathead screwdriver, nipple cone driver, brass bullet mold, and a lovely brass tipped wooden cleaning rod. There are also some cap tins with old caps in them, as well as some bullets and even paper wrapped cartridges. The case is lovely, and there is even the original key, so often lost!

There is a photo included with the set, which has some notes on it, along with a listing for a similar cased set, as well as a small hang tag with basic information on it. The photo states that it is of Anselme Aristide Charonnat, age 27, who was the father of Marguerite Charronat Chapman, who owned Canada Hill Mine. It also states that Anselme was the brother of the captain of the ship that returned Napoleon's body to France in 1840, which seems quite odd given that he was born in 1856. We were not able to find any connection, and the note also mentions that the pistol is named on the top, which is where the retailer information is. The serial number on the tag matches, so we can only think that some very interesting hearsay developed regarding this pistol. Still, it could definitely an avenue of future research.

A wonderful example of an extremely rare percussion revolver design, housed in a lovely custom case with all the accessories that one would want. The Tranter "Treble Action" predates the later double action designs, representing an important step in firearms development. We have only ever had a handful of these before, and it is unlikely we will ever see another again any time soon! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1857
Caliber: 54 Bore - Approx. .44cal
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 11 3/4 inches
Action: Single / Double "Treble" Action
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

The Tranter revolver was a double-action cap & ball revolver invented around 1856 by English firearms designer William Tranter (1816-1890). Originally operated with a special dual-trigger mechanism (one to rotate the cylinder and cock the gun, a second to fire it) later models employed a single-trigger mechanism much the same as that found in the contemporary Beaumont-Adams revolver.

Early Tranter revolvers were generally versions of the various Robert Adams-designed revolver models, of which Tranter had produced in excess of 8000 revolvers by 1853. The first model of his own design used the frame of an Adams-type revolver, with a modification in the mechanism which he had jointly developed with James Kerr. The first model was sold under the name Tranter-Adams-Kerr.

Design and operation:
The Tranter revolver was a "solid-frame" design, very similar in appearance to the Beaumont-Adams revolver. Over the course of the 3 models Tranter developed, the only significant change was to the attachment of the ramrod- In the first model it was detachable, on the second model it was attached to the frame by a hook on the fixed barrel and the rammer was fixed to the lever, and in the third model (1856) it was attached to the frame by a screw, with the "rammer" itself attached by a screw to the lever, so it could pivot. The third model also introduced a "raked" lower bottom of the frame, reducing weight slightly.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.