Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very interesting French-style percussion revolver, made very much along the lines of the revolvers designed by Louis-François Devisme. However, the design of this revolver also owes quite a bit to the typical Samuel Colt designs, especially the cylinder and barrel wedge attachment on the barrel. It however does not have an external frame around the cylinder, relying entirely on the arbor pin to fasten the barrel to the body. This also means that the back of the cylinder is quite elaborate, as it contains both the ratchet and the cylinder stops. Really an ingenious design!

There are no maker marks on the revolver at all, just a 6 stamped on the grip frame and a 3 stamped on the front of the cylinder. The rear of the cylinder also has the E / L G / * in an Oval proof mark from Liège, the legendary gun-making city in Belgium, where the revolver was produced. There were any number of highly skilled gunsmiths in the city who could have produced this lovely revolver. It features a rather distinctive side action loading rammer, of a type that we have not seen before, which could possibly link it with a maker.

The revolver is in lovely condition, and has great foliate engraving around the cylinder as well as on the sides of the action, and down the grip back strap. The barrel and cylinder are both blued, still retaining much of the original finish, while the action and loading rammer are both in bright steel, now showing a bit of patination. The grip scales are lovely figured wood, and look to possibly have been refinished at some point, most of which is retained.

The revolver functions well, and features a fold-away trigger that pops out when the revolver is cocked. There does not appear to be a reloading position, as the design most likely intends for the cylinder to be removed, and then replaced for ramming the bullets down. It functions well, with good indexing and a solid cylinder lockup. However, the trigger pull required is VERY strong, as the trigger spring is quite sturdy. we checked the bore, and it is clear and mostly bright, without a trace of rifling. It measures out at about 8.8mm, while the cylinder chambers are 9mm, so we believe it was originally made in smoothbore, definitely an interesting aspect to the design. The cap nipple cones are all intact, showing some wear from service and hammer strikes, and are all clear. They do not show much fouling and oxidation, so this revolver does not seem to have seen extensive use.

This is a very nice French style Belgian made pistol, most likely imported during the U.S. Civil War Era, a wonderful acquisition for any collection. A very interesting design, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: about 9mm smoothbore
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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