Original Item: One of a Kind. In many ways the martial pinfire revolver, based upon the patents of Casimir and Eugene Lefaucheux, was one of the most modern and advanced military handguns to see use on the battlefield during the American Civil War. Thousands of these pinfire revolvers were imported for use by US troops, and at least a few hundred saw service with Confederate troops as well. Although US government purchases only record about 13,000 M-1858 Lefaucheux patent pin fire revolvers as being officially purchased (along with over 2.2 million cartridges), surviving examples and regimental records indicate that far more than that were imported.

Period documentation indicates that pinfire revolvers saw significant use by Confederate soldiers as, and many deep south arsenals maintained inventories pin fire cartridges and even offered the pistols for sale to officers. However, the use of pin fire revolvers by the North and South was not limited to the large bore 12mm military guns. Many men took privately owned, "civilian" pattern pin fire revolvers into the field. It is not uncommon for relic diggers to find 7mm, 9mm as well as the more common 12mm pinfire cartridges in known Civil War campsites. Excavated and recovered pinfire revolvers are known from these campsites as well, and at least one privately owned 9mm pinfire was recovered from the wreck of the USS Cairo gunboat, and is on display at Vicksburg National Military Park.

This is a very interesting European Continental Pinfire revolver, made very much in the French style, with some lovely engraving on the frame and sides of the cylinder. It is however FAR from a typical example! It looks to be in 11mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, with double / single action, however it features a massive 10 round cylinder! We have had only a few of these large capacity pinfire revolvers, and they are usually in the smaller calibers, but this is in the substantial 11m, or about .43", which would pack a substantial punch. Like many we see, there are no maker markings, and there are only a few small number markings that we cannot identify. The quality and style of manufacture certainly points to the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège, who may have avoided putting their proofs 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 is definitely a full-size revolver, 11 inches in overall length with a 6 1/8" barrel, which is cut with six-groove rifling. It features a standard trigger guard and trigger, most likely intended for use in a holster, though with a width of 2 3/4" that must have been hard to find. It looks to be a intended more for service than for show, with tasteful engraving on the frame and cylinder, but none on the barrel or in high wear areas. From what we see, the pistol originally had a lovely blue black finish, however that is now retained only on the back and sides of the frame, or other recessed areas. The wooden grips on this revolver are lovely, showing a great color with a varnished finish, and no major damage present. As with many of these revolvers, it has a lanyard loop attached to the bottom of the grip frame, which is intact and moves freely.

Functionally, the revolver cycles well and functions in both double and single action. We did not notice any finicky behavior, and the indexing and cylinder lockup are strong in single action. It has a long leaf spring on the right side of the action which drops into place while cycling, preventing the hammer from moving forward before fully cocked, a safety style used on Gasser style revolvers, but also seen on pinfire revolvers as well. This also allows the cylinder to rotate for reloading. The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a bright finish. It does not look to have seen heavy use during its service life, and there is just a bit of light past oxidation overall. The ejector is present and functional, locking back into place in the forward position, and the loading gate is present with a functional spring.

A fantastic example of a very substantial pinfire revolver, which definitely would have packed a serious punch! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 11mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 11 inches
Barrel Length: 6 1/8 inches
Action: Double / Single Action
Feed System: 10 Shot Revolver

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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.