Original item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting European Pinfire revolver, made very much in the French style. It looks to be in 7mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, double action only with a 6 round cylinder. Like most we see, there is no maker mark, but the barrel and cylinder are marked with CROWN / V. The crown is not the British crown, so these are somewhat typical inspector markings usually seen from the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège, who may have avoided putting their definitive proof on export guns destined for the Americas. 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 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 French pocket pistol style, with a 3 1/4 inch long barrel, and overall length of 6 3/4 inches. It has a fold-away trigger with no trigger guard, and a lovely "bird's head" shape grip. The barrel and all small parts are made from steel, while the frame and loading gate of are of brass. It looks to have been an upmarket example, and has decorative engraving on pretty much all components, which is still in great condition. The gutta-percha grip scales are also in great shape, and still retain almost all of the designs and checkering.

The revolver does function, however the trigger return spring is either missing or broken, so the trigger must be pushed back forward after every cycle. It also is missing the ejector rod on the right side of the barrel. We checked the bore, and it looks to have been used extensively, as we cannot see any rifling present. It is also possible that it was made smoothbore, something we have seen before. The loading gate is fully functional with an intact spring.

A very nice example, possibly a private purchase Civil War pistol, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Caliber: 9mm
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 7 inches
Barrel Length: 3 ⅜  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.