Original item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting European Continental Pinfire revolver, made very much in the French style, and mostly covered in excellent foliate engraving. It looks to be in 9mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, double / single action with a 6 round cylinder. Like most we see, there are no maker markings, and we were not able to find any proofs whatsoever. 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 example follows the standard French style, just a bit bigger than "pocket" size, with a 3 3/4 inch long barrel, and overall length of 8 inches. This would make it perfect as a Civil war "backup" revolver, for when their main sidearm was empty. It features a standard trigger guard and trigger, most likely intended for use in a holster, not a pocket. It is definitely an upmarket example, featuring an ornately foliate embossed and engraved frame, with additional engraving on the barrel breech, trigger guard, and grip back strap. The cylinder is also heavily engraved, with some lovely panels and large foliate engraving.

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, fully checkered with just a small chip on the bottom of the right side. 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. The bore is in very good condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a partly 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 near the muzzle.. The ejector is present and functional, locking back into place in the forward position. The loading gate is present with a functional spring.

A lovely continental pinfire revolver, most likely purchased by an Officer as a Back up Revolver in the Civil War. In lovely condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 9mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 8 inches
Barrel Length: 3 3/4 inches
Action: Double / Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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