Item Description
Original Item: One of a Kind. An Apache revolver is a handgun which incorporates multiple other weapons, made notorious by the French underworld figures of the early 1900s known as "Les Apaches". The design however predates this early 20th century criminal subculture by decades, originally having designed in the 1860s, and is attributed to Louis Dolne. These gun were manufactured until the end of the 1870s, and available in various different configurations. They were for the most part originally made to use pinfire cartridges. This example appears to be from the later part of the 19th century (1880s-1898) and is a period copy of an "Apache".
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 is in 7mm pinfire, and has no barrel, as was standard. It measures about 3 inches long by 5 1/4 inches tall, with a 3 1/2 inch triangular blade on the pommel. These were designed for extreme close range, where a barrel would be more of a liability than anything else, It is a non-folding design, and looks similar to some we have found made by Joseph Deleaxhe of Liège, Belgium, though there are no markings on the weapon except for an S in a circle on the front of the cylinder. As originally designed, this style of revolver could be folded into various configurations, but that could take time, so many were made like this example, with all three aspects ready for use: the revolver, the knuckle duster, and the dagger.
The construction is somewhat crude, so it is definitely possible that this was made from a pinfire revolver, repurposed into a multi-weapon. It has a nice gray patina overall, and it fits very comfortably into the hand. The revolver portion does cycle, though sometimes the trigger does not return forward due to a weak trigger spring. It still has a loading gate at the back of the cylinder, though it no longer locks closed.
A very hard to find interesting multi-weapon, most likely made in Belgium for the French market. Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1885-1898
Caliber: 7mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 3 inches
Action: Double Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington
This product is not available for international shipping.
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 most US States and most U.S. territories.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for 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 most addresses within the United States.
Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon