Item Description
Original item. Only One Available. This is a very nice U.S. Civil War era pinfire revolver, made very much in the British style. It is in the less common 9mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, double action with a 6 round cylinder. The overall shape is reminiscent of the British Adams revolvers, and with a top strap and flat bottomed checkered grip, it definitely looks more British than French / Belgian. However, there are not any markings that we can see on the revolver whatsoever, so there is really no way to tell where it came from.
Both French and British style pinfire revolvers were made in the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège. During the U.S. Civil War, the area full of contractors producing guns for the export market, particularly to the C.S.A.. Many were already making guns under contract to the British and French makers, so they already had all the designs and tooling on hand.
The Pinfire system was the earliest form of "Cartridge" developed with a pin projecting out at 90 degrees to the cartridge case. When depressed by the falling hammer the cartridge discharged. At the time up against muzzle loading Revolvers these were revolutionary. Like most things by the end of the Civil War technology had moved on and in the late 1860's regular type cartridges as we know them today had been introduced.
This example follows the standard British style, with a 5 inch long barrel, and overall length of 10 1/4 inches. The revolver still retains much of the original blued finish, especially on the frame, and has lovely foliate engraving on both sides of the revolver, as well as on the bottom of the trigger guard. Overall it shows a very high level of manufacturing and artistic skill in the execution. It has very nice original checkered walnut grips, which have a great color and only light wear from service. There is the standard lanyard loop on the butt cap, which is still fully intact.
The revolver functions well in double action only, though it may have originally been able to be used in single action. The loading gate and ejector rod are both intact and functional, though the loading gate axis screw can become loose, allowing the gate to fall open. The bore is in very good condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish.
A very nice example, almost certainly a private purchase Civil War pistol , ready to display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1859
Caliber: 9mm
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 10 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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