Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Civil War era Belgian double action pinfire pocket revolver, made circa 1860 in the French style and chambered for approximately 7mm Lefaucheux pinfire ammunition. It features a six shot cylinder, folding trigger, engraved and embossed acanthus decoration, dark wood grips, and a compact 3 1/3" barrel with an overall length of approximately 7 1/2". The revolver retains a pleasing aged gray patina with substantial surviving blue on the cylinder and remains mechanically functional in both single and double action, though the trigger return spring is missing.

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 successful self contained metallic cartridge systems. Its cartridges used a small pin projecting from the side of the case, which was struck by the hammer to ignite the internal priming compound. Compared with contemporary percussion revolvers, pinfire arms offered the significant advantage of using a self contained cartridge and became especially popular in continental Europe during the mid 19th century.

This revolver follows the compact French style commonly associated with Lefaucheux pattern pocket arms. It has a 3 1/3" barrel and measures approximately 7 1/2" overall, making it well suited to coat pocket carry. The revolver has a six shot cylinder and a folding trigger without a trigger guard.

The right side of the barrel is marked:

CROWN / MA

next to serial number:

7918

The CROWN / MA marking has not been positively identified here as a maker mark and may represent an inspection or control marking.

Additional proof markings include:

CROWN / Z

beneath the first marking and another CROWN / Z on the side of the barrel near the rear. These crowned proof and inspection marks are consistent with Belgian manufacture, most likely in the Liège gunmaking region.

The frame and surrounding metal surfaces are decorated with high relief engraved and embossed acanthus leaf motifs, particularly along the sides of the frame and around the cylinder. Additional engraved decoration is present on several of the flat surfaces near the action.

The revolver appears either to have originally been finished in the white or possibly case colored, while the cylinder was blued. Most of the frame and barrel have now matured to a lightly stained gray patina, while the cylinder retains a substantial amount of its original blue finish.

The grip panels are very dark with a tight grain and may be ebony, though the exact wood cannot be confirmed. They show light age and handling wear. The left grip was cracked completely through at some point and has been glued back together. The repair is visible but the grip remains in place.

Mechanically, the revolver cycles in both double action and single action in its present condition. The trigger return spring is missing, so after the trigger is pulled it must be manually pushed forward before the action can be cycled again.

The loading gate is present and operates, though it appears to be a fabricated replacement rather than an original component. The ejector rod is present and functions correctly in its present condition. It retains its tensioning spring, which keeps the ejector positioned against the revolver when not in use.

The bore is in very good condition for its age, showing clear five groove rifling with a slow rate of twist. The interior is mostly bright with scattered areas of old fouling and oxidation. The lands remain crisp, suggesting relatively limited bore wear.

With its compact 7mm pinfire configuration, six shot cylinder, double and single action mechanism, folding trigger, ornate acanthus decoration, Liège style proof markings, strong surviving cylinder blue, and very good five groove bore, this is an attractive example of a Belgian Civil War era pocket revolver. The repaired left grip, missing trigger return spring, fabricated loading gate, scattered oxidation, and uncertain identification of the CROWN / MA marking are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Civil War era sidearm, European pinfire, Lefaucheux system, Belgian arms, or advanced 19th century revolver collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 7mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 7 1/2 inches
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 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.