Original Item: Only One Available. This exceptionally fine French Model 1854/55 Devisme 10mm Percussion Revolver by Louis François-Devisme of Paris was featured and test fired on an episode of History Channel's Pawn Stars in 2026. You can watch it on the episode below: 

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very rare example of a French Model 1854/55 Percussion revolver, produced by the legendary French maker, Louis-François Devisme. Born in 1806, Louis François-Devisme (pronounced (“De-Veme”) began his gunsmithing career in 1834 when he opened a shop on 36 Boulevarde des Italiens in Paris. Quickly establishing himself as a purveyor of high-grade goods, his business took off and, in relatively short order, he became one of the most renowned French makers of the mid-19th century.

Devisme received numerous awards for gunmaking including a medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London (also known as the Crystal Palace Exhibition) for firearms that he displayed there. It is likely that Samuel Colt first became aware of Devisme’s work at The Crystal Palace Exhibition and Colt was apparently impressed enough that he acquired one of Devisme’s percussion revolvers (in unfinished form) for the Colt firearms collection.

Devisme wares were prized by the aristocracy, military officers and the bourgeoisie. General Robert E. Lee himself owned a magnificent sword by Devisme, which had been presented to him by an anonymous donor. This was the sword he wore to Appomattox, Virginia, during the Surrender to Union Forces. He was not the only Confederate general to have arms produced by Devisme, a name which was synonymous with high end quality and style. Jefferson Davis owned a pistol by Devisme, which fired unique exploding bullets.

However, Devisme did produce more utilitarian items for use by less prestigious owners, which constituted a good deal of the firms output. While always of the highest quality, they lacked the luxury appointments of the more upmarket items. They also were often made at least in part by contractors, such as Belgian maker Auguste Francotte. One of the most well known of these was the Model 1854/55 Percussion revolver, a truly unique design indicative of the level of thought Devisme put into his designs.

During the early 1850s, Colt percussion revolvers dominated the British and European market. However after Robert Adams designed the substantial Model 1851 Double Action percussion revolver, which convinced Devisme that there was room in that market for expansion. The design and action that resulted is truly elegant, with a lot of well thought out features unlike those seen on any other revolver of the period. While at first glance it may appear a bit delicate, it is a very robust design, while also being extremely comfortable. It also utilized a unique loading system borrowed from the French Military, also seen in other countries.

A lever on the left side of the revolver unlocks the barrel from the cylinder arbor pin, allowing removal of the barrel and cylinder. The cylinder chambers of the Devisme M1854/55 each have a "tige" (French for "rod") in the center, which is very similar to the "Pillar Breech" idea used in percussion firearms. Developed by French General Louis-Étienne de Thouvenin, these are almost always seen on long arms, not revolvers. As with the 'pillar breech', the powder is poured around this, and a bullet placed on top. Then a unique loading tool in the butt of the pistol is used with a wooden hammer to cause the bullet bottom to expand around the rod, forming a better gas seal, and allowing it to engage the rifling more effectively. After this the revolver is reassembled, and the tool threads back into the butt, where it doubles as a lanyard ring. A truly ingenious design.

The example that we have here is typical of those imported and used by Confederate officers during the Civil War, however it definitely does not look to have been used much during service, and is still in excellent condition. Unlike the previous example we had, this one was made by the Devisme firm itself, and has a clearly engraved marking on the strap above the cylinder:-

F. P. DEVISME  A  PARIS.

It also still has the original markings on the left side of the barrel assembly by the locking lever:

"B'te" is short for the French word Breveté (Patented), indicating that it is a protected design. There are also various other proofs on the revolver, including (CROWN) / DV within an oval, the trademark of Devisme. which appears on the bottom of the frame forward of the triggerguard and on both the face and side of the cylinder. There are also some single letter proofs, as well as a TINY AF under the barrel and a CROWN / AF on the side of the cylinder. These would usually be for maker Auguste Francotte of Liège, Belgium, however we do not see any Belgian proof marks. We have seen an example of this type of revolver with very similar markings converted for 12mm cartridges, and it had the same markings, which are not really something we are able to explain.

The serial number of Devisme made guns is marked on the right side of the revolver in the wood just above the rear of the trigger guard, and in this case it is 7492, not far off from another example we saw, which was "7555". We did not notice any assembly number on the cylinder, however the rear of the barrel strap and the top of the action are both marked with 235. We see no reason to believe that any parts were ever swapped out.

The revolver is truly lovely, with the original blued finish still very well retained on the barrel and butt cap, while the bright steel portions show just a bit of oxidation staining. The elegant wooden grips still retain almost all of the original checkering, and they show no cracking or other major damage. It functions beautifully, with a crisp tight action, and indexes perfectly. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see with revolvers of this age. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and there is just a bit of past fouling and wear present. The cap nipples are all in great condition, all still intact and showing very light wear. The only real deficiency with the entire pistol is the unfortunately loss of the lanyard ring / loading tool that would normally be installed in the bottom of the butt plate. This would have been used with a wooden hammer to load the cylinder, but it was unfortunately lost to time long ago.

To make this offering even better, it came to us with a fantastic custom wood case, which we believe to be of English manufacture, and looks to originally have had some type of metal rondel on the top, now absent.. It measures approximately 15 1/4" x 8" x 2 5/8", and has several compartments inside, all green fabric lined. These are for accessories one might use with the revolver, and included are a metal cleaning rod with a jag at the end, a small powder flask, a length of twine, a brass ramrod to press in the bullets, and a lovely wooden container holding bullets inside a plastic bag. The box has a brass handle on the front over a lock, which we unfortunately do not have the key for. It is however still held closed by two hook and eyelet closures. It really adds to the display potential of this very interesting revolver.

This is a truly exceptional Model 1854/55 Devisme Revolver, as used by Confederate officers during the U.S. Civil War. A wonderful acquisition for any collection, especially with the fantastic custom wood case! Today, his works are among the most highly sought after and desirable arms manufactured during the 19th century. In wonderful condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Caliber: 10mm - 0.41"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 5 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 12 3/8 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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