Original item. Only One Available. This is a very nice Belgian Pinfire Pocket Pepperbox revolver, in the relatively small 7mm pinfire cartridge. It is made very much in the French style, and many French makers had these made under contract in the gun-making city of Liège, Belgium.

Made around 1850, revolvers such as these were principally supplied to the Parisian Market from where many were shipped to the United States before the Civil War. Intended for personal protection the revolver has a folding trigger for easy concealment. Some were well decorated on the exterior, however this one is plain, intended more for utility than for show.

The pistol was made in the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège, where many operations were making guns under contract to French makers. The rear of the cylinder / barrel is marked with the E / L G / * in an oval marking proof from Liège, along with other proofs. There is no serial number we can see, but on the grip frame under the grips it is marked with AM on the left, and FB and GC on the right. FB is also stamped on the recoil shield behind the cylinder. Other than this, the pepperbox is completely unmarked.

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 revolver is definitely a very nice example, retaining the original finish in areas on the cylinder, with the rest faded to a gray patina. The grips are made from what looks to be walnut, and are in great shape. The cylinder is held in place on the arbor pin by a threaded plate, which is held in place by a screw into the frame. The revolver has a loading / ejection gate on the right side of the recoil shield, and it still functions perfectly. The grip has an ejector rod stored inside, which is removed by unscrewing it from the bottom of the grip.

This pepperbox, like most, functions in double action only, with good indexing and a crisp dry fire. It does not appear to have any of the finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. We checked the bores, and they are smooth bore, showing some wear and oxidation. This was a revolver that definitely did see use during its lifetime.

These were often referred to as "APACHE REVOLVERS", referring to the PARISIAN CRIMINAL ELEMENTS of the time. Romantic perhaps but certainly easy to carry which could easily have been a life saver. Unusual and an attention getter.

A lovely little revolver, ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Caliber: 7mm / .32cal
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 4 3/4 inches
Barrel Length: 1 7/8 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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