1 review    
Item:
ONJR23HRAN42

Original U.S. Civil War Era British 7mm Pinfire Double Action Pocket Revolver by Leon Marks, Liverpool - circa 1855

Item Description

Original item. Only One Available. This is a very nice British pinfire pocket revolver, marked on the top of the barrel by maker / retailer LEON . MARKS . LIVERPOOL ., featuring a great fold-away trigger for pocket storage. Made during the period just before the U.S. Civil War, it is in the common 7mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, double action with a 6 round cylinder.

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 3 ⅜ inch long barrel, and overall length of 7 inches. It has the classic British flat-bottomed grip, with two lovely checkered walnut grip scales. The revolver bears CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" markings from the city of Birmingham, England on the bottom of the barrel. The cylinder is also marked by EVERY chamber with CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks, with another on the lower right frame. There is however also a CROWN / S proof on the front of the barrel, which could be an import marking.

The revolver looks to have been originally produced with a bright steel frame and a blued cylinder, a very popular combination at the time. The cylinder still retains a good amount of the original bluing, while the frame and other components show some oxidation staining. The original checkered walnut grips have a great color and show only light wear, so we do not think this revolver saw much use during its service life.

The revolver functions well about 50% of the time in single action only, as pulling the trigger back in double action does not move the hammer back far enough for it to reach the release position where it would "fire". We assume this would just take some adjustment or replacement of some internals, which we unfortunately do not have on hand. The loading gate and ejector rod are both intact and fully functional, with the springs fully present and undamaged. The bore is in very good condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish.

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.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cash For Collectibles