Original item. Only One Available. This is a very nice Belgian 8mm centerfire cartridge revolver, made very much in the style of the earlier French / Belgian pinfire revolvers. These designs already called for a top strap, and required minimal changes to be suitable for rimfire and centerfire cartridge ammunition. We are fairly certain this example is in centerfire, but the firing pin is extremely larger for an 8mm cartridge, so it may be for neither.

The revolver is a double action design with a 6 round cylinder, and also can function in single action. The left side of the frame by the barrel is marked MEYERS / BVE, indicating it was produced under a patent held by Meyers. It also is marked on the side of the cylinder with E / L G / * in an Oval, for the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège, over CROWN / V. There is a CROWN / S on the front side of the cylinder as well. The right lower side of the frame is marked with serial number 5047. We also did remove the grips, but all that was stamped on the frame were some small assembly markings.

This example follows the standard French style, with a 3 5/8 inch long barrel, and overall length of 7 3/4 inches. It looks to have been produced in bright steel, and still retains that finish well, with just some light staining and oxidation in areas. The frame and cylinder are and deeply engraved with floral and foliate designs. The ebony grips are quite lovely, showing only moderate use.

The original loading gate is present and intact, and is spring loaded so it stays closed. The revolver also still breaks down correctly, and the ejector rod is fully functional. The bore shows clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is some wear and fouling from use. This revolver has numerous leaf springs on the exterior, some of which we do not entirely understand the functional of. It does cycle, however the trigger return spring is very weak or possibly missing, so the trigger must be pushed forward by hand after cycling, and to get it to hold in single action.

A very nice and rare heavily decorated early cartridge revolver from Belgium, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1865
Caliber: 8mm
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 7 3/4 inches
Barrel Length: 3 5/8 inches
Action: Double / Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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