Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice early Belgian manufactured example of the Swedish Revolver m/1887, chambered for the 7.5mm Nagant cartridge and produced by the Émile and Léon Nagant firm in Liège, Belgium. Serial number 1607 is matching on the major numbered components, and the revolver retains a substantial amount of its original deep blue finish along with attractive case colored or heat colored small parts, checkered grips, lanyard ring, and an exceptionally nice bore. The CL inspection marking identifies acceptance by Swedish officer Christofer Lemchen, one of the inspectors sent to Liège to receive the first Belgian contract revolvers.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Swedish M/1887 was adopted after a series of revolver trials intended to replace older large caliber service handguns with a smaller, more modern double action revolver. Sweden ultimately selected a Nagant design chambered for a 7.5mm centerfire cartridge. The revolver combined both single and double action operation with a solid frame, side loading gate, and ejector rod housed concentrically within the cylinder arbor assembly. The original ammunition was a black powder loading, appropriate to the period in which the revolver entered service.

The first Swedish contract revolvers were manufactured in Liège by Nagant before domestic production later began at Husqvarna. Approximately 2,600 Belgian made revolvers were supplied to Sweden in the initial military order, with deliveries beginning in June 1888. Swedish officers were sent to the Nagant factory to inspect and receive the arms before shipment.

The left side of the frame on this example is marked:

BREVET
NAGANT

followed by:

1607

and the Swedish inspection initials:

CL

The CL marking is associated with Swedish officer Capt. Christofer Lemchen, who was one of the two officers delegated to inspect and receive Nagant revolvers in Liège. Surviving Belgian made Swedish M/1887 revolvers are documented with either Lemchen's CL marking or the JB marking of fellow inspector Lt. John Brandt.

Serial number:

1607

is also present on the barrel, ejector assembly, rear of the cylinder, loading gate, and other visible components. The consistency of the numbering across the principal parts makes this a very desirable matching example.

The upper left side of the frame and rear barrel area also carry a Belgian controller mark consisting of:

★
D

This type of starred letter inspection mark is consistent with Liège production and is encountered on Belgian manufactured Nagant revolvers.

The right side of the frame is additionally marked:

L № 10875
A

This is a later Swedish military property or rack marking associated with Landstormen, the Swedish territorial or reserve defense organization. The L prefix identifies Landstorm service, while the numerical portion is an inventory or weapon number rather than the revolver's factory serial number. Comparable Swedish military arms carry the same general L No. marking format.

The revolver retains an impressive amount of its original finish. The frame, barrel, and cylinder still show a deep blue color with no obvious evidence of wholesale refinishing or aggressive polishing. There is a small localized area of old oxidation on the inside of the grip area, but otherwise the metal surfaces remain notably clean. The trigger, hammer, loading gate, and loading gate spring retain much of their attractive purplish or case colored appearance, providing excellent contrast with the blue finish.

The checkered grip panels are in very good condition, showing normal handling wear but no major cracks or missing sections. The lanyard ring remains present and intact at the butt.

The M/1887 has an unusual characteristic in that the cylinder can rotate slightly when the hammer is fully forward because the original design lacks a positive cylinder stop in that position. This was recognized as a weakness quite early. Swedish Lieutenant T. F. Törnell patented an improved cylinder locking arrangement in 1888, and the Swedish government approved the concept in 1893, but the modification was never generally adopted and only a small number of revolvers received it. The absence of that modification on this revolver is therefore normal for a standard Belgian contract M/1887, not evidence that it somehow missed a later 20th century upgrade.

Mechanically, the revolver functions correctly in both single action and double action during careful manual inspection. The cylinder indexes as intended, the loading gate opens and closes properly, and the ejector system operates correctly. The revolver also disassembles in the proper manner for cleaning and servicing.

The bore is in excellent condition, remaining bright and shiny with crisp lands and grooves. Only a few small areas of light oxidation haze are visible, apparently from old powder fouling, and there is very little overall wear.

With its early Belgian manufacture, matching serial number 1607, documented CL Swedish acceptance marking, later Landstormen property number, strong original blue, attractive contrasting small part finish, intact grips and lanyard ring, fully functional action, and excellent bore, this is a particularly desirable example of the Swedish M/1887 Nagant service revolver. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Scandinavian military arms, Nagant revolvers, Belgian contract firearms, or late 19th century European service handguns.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Maker: Émile and Léon Nagant
Model: Swedish M/1887 Revolver
Serial No.: 1607
Caliber: .7.5mm Nagant
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 9 1/4 inches
Action: Single / Double Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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 most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the 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 most addresses within the United States.