Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and heavily patinated Belgian made pinfire revolver of the type widely encountered in Europe during the mid 19th century and imported into the United States during the Civil War era. Built in the French Lefaucheux style, it appears to be chambered for an approximately 11mm pinfire cartridge and features a six shot cylinder, double and single action operation, standard trigger guard, lanyard ring, and extensive period engraving across the frame, cylinder, and barrel breech. Although the engraving has been softened by long use, oxidation, and past cleaning, the revolver retains considerable visual character and a particularly appealing Civil War era appearance.

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 pinfire system was one of the earliest practical metallic cartridge systems. Developed from the work of French gunmaker Casimir Lefaucheux and later refined by his son Eugène, the cartridge used a small pin projecting from the side of the case. When struck by the hammer, this pin drove into the internal priming compound and fired the cartridge. Compared with a traditional percussion revolver requiring loose powder, ball, and percussion caps, the self contained pinfire cartridge represented a major step forward in convenience and speed of loading. Pinfire arms were manufactured extensively in France and Belgium during the years immediately before and during the American Civil War.

European cartridge revolvers were imported into the United States in considerable numbers during the conflict. Both Union and Confederate purchasers obtained Lefaucheux system revolvers from European sources, including Belgian and French makers. The U.S. government itself purchased thousands of pinfire revolvers during the war, while Confederate agents also acquired European handguns through overseas contracts. This revolver is certainly of the same general type and period, although no documentation accompanies it establishing Civil War military issue, Confederate ownership, or individual wartime use.

This example follows the typical French inspired pattern closely. The barrel measures approximately 4 7/8", while the revolver measures approximately 9 3/8" overall. It has a six shot cylinder and appears to be chambered for an approximately 11mm Lefaucheux type pinfire cartridge. We have not independently confirmed the exact chamber dimensions, so the caliber identification is based on the physical configuration and supplied measurement.

The primary visible proof marking is a faint:

E
L G
★ 

in an oval on the side of the cylinder. This is the characteristic Liège proof mark and confirms Belgian proof and inspection. An additional:

FR

marking is present on the front of the cylinder. We have not identified its exact meaning and therefore leave it unattributed.

The revolver is fitted with a conventional trigger guard rather than a folding trigger and has proportions consistent with a belt or holster revolver. The frame, cylinder, and breech section of the barrel were originally decorated with substantial engraving. Much of the design remains visible, although oxidation, wear, and past cleaning have softened the details considerably. The surviving decoration appears to consist largely of flowing scroll and acanthus style ornament of the type frequently seen on Belgian sporting and commercial revolvers of the period.

The wooden grip panels remain quite attractive and retain much of their original checkering. The wood has darkened considerably from age, handling, and absorbed oils, while the checkering shows the expected wear from long use. There are scattered small dents and chips, but nothing beyond what would be expected on a revolver that saw an extended working life.

The original style lanyard ring remains present at the bottom of the grip. It is fully intact and functional, with evidence of past oxidation on the surrounding metal.

Mechanically, the revolver operates in both single and double action, although there are several important condition issues. In single action, cylinder indexing and lockup are strong. During double action cycling, the mechanism will occasionally skip rather than index correctly.

We also noted that the lever associated with the hammer and trigger mechanism does not always engage as intended, apparently due to a weak spring. This contributes to inconsistent double action operation. These mechanical observations are reported exactly as found and should not be interpreted as evidence that the revolver is safe to fire.

The bore is in very good condition overall. The lands and grooves remain clearly visible and much of the interior retains a partly bright finish. There are areas of oxidation and old fouling present, indicating that the revolver did see at least some degree of actual use during its service life.

The ejector assembly remains present and operates well. It is equipped with a tensioning spring that retains it in position. The loading gate is also present, but its spring latch is missing, so the gate does not remain positively closed.

With its Belgian Liège proof, approximately 11mm Lefaucheux type pinfire chambering, six shot cylinder, double and single action mechanism, extensive surviving period engraving, original style lanyard ring, very good bore, and attractive aged patina, this is an evocative example of the European cartridge revolvers circulating during the American Civil War era. While no specific Confederate or Union provenance accompanies the gun, its Belgian manufacture and Lefaucheux system place it squarely within the same family of imported arms that saw widespread American use during the conflict. It would display especially well in a Civil War sidearm collection, a Belgian firearms grouping, or a collection illustrating the transition from percussion revolvers to self contained metallic cartridge handguns.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 11mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 7/8 inches
Overall Length: 9 3/8 inches
Action: Double / Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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 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.