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 magnificent example is definitely NOT your Typical Imported Pinfire revolver, as not only does it have TWO barrels, but it also features a massive TWENTY SHOT cylinder! This is arranged in two rows of ten, which is why it needs the double barrels. The pinfire hammer has two protrusions for firing, which works as they land on top of the cylinder to fire the round. This is also not easily visible, but the inner ring of chambers is also set back about 6mm into the frame, so the outer row does not interfere. The cartridge ejector even has two positions, inner and outer, to facilitate reloading. This was definitely a well thought out design, and not something made on the spur of the moment.

The revolver does not have any maker markings, however it was definitely made in Belgium, and then imported into the state of Louisiana, which would become part of the Confederate States of America. The revolver is marked on the top of the barrel with a banner reading:

Hyde and Goodrich of New Orleans, Louisiana were importers of fine European Goods from 1828 to 1861, when the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War resulted in massive interruptions of trade. We previously had another imported pinfire revolver marked by this importer, which was also marked to a Confederate Officer.

This revolver is not named, but it does feature fantastic foliate engraving on the frame, grip strap, and other parts, as well as some lovely embossed floral panels on the barrel. It is marked with serial number 692 on the underside of the barrel, and there is also an L F marking right under the cylinder arbor pin. It also has the E / L G / * in an Oval Proof from Liège, Belgium on the front of the cylinder, and also a partial CROWN / N inspection cartouche. There are several other small markings that we have not been able to identify. Liège was one of the major contract firearms production centers in Europe. They made many pinfire revolvers under contract for the Lefaucheux company itself.

The revolver is in very good working condition and has a great polished bright steel patina overall. The checkered wood grip scales are in fantastic condition, looking to be made from ebony or rosewood, and the grip terminates with an intact lanyard ring. The action functions correctly, with a good lockup and nice indexing, and works in double action well. It is a bit more finicky in single action, and was most likely intended to only really be used in double action. The revolver has an intact and functional ejector and loading gate. The bores is quite nice, with clear lands and grooves and a partly bright finish. There are a few spots of oxidation and fouling in both, so this revolver did definitely see some use. Definitely a solid example of a very rare revolver.

The Pin Fire Cartridge had a pin protruding from its side which when in the revolver's cylinder extended outside the cylinder wall. When struck by the hammer pushing the pin into the cartridge the internal primer was ignited and the cartridge discharged. This process was a lot faster and easier than muzzle loading and capping as were the standard Army Percussion revolvers of the day. Despite this convenience the revolver was not a success, it was considered not rugged enough for Military Service and accidental discharge of the cartridges before being loaded into the weapon became a serious problem.

An very unusual 20 shot example of a French Revolver design that was imported in large numbers for use in America's most tragic war, made in Belgium for a New Orleans supplier. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 8mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 9 1/2 inches
Barrel Length: 4 7/8 inches
Action: Single / Double Action
Feed System: 20 Shot Revolver

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