Jackson's Revolver

[Nathanb1]

I am confessing my ignorance. I decided to look through the revamped and totally great Museum of the Confederacy site this afternoon and realized I know nothing about Jackson's revolver.

Expired Image Removedhttp://www.moc.org/collections-archives/lee-jackson/gallery/91#

The site doesn't explain where it was made or anything about it, so I came to the real experts. Guys?

It certainly is a gorgeous weapon--sort of the antithesis of Jackson's usual image! (Although having seen quite a few of his artifacts in person, I see he used a number of high-quality items.)

Looking forward to learning more.

 

[BillO]

A very ornate French made Pinfire.

 

[Lazy Bayou]

Nice weapon. Maybe Bob Owen will know.

 

[Nathanb1]

So do you know that particular weapon's history? No joke....it is beautiful.

 

[Nathanb1]

Nice weapon. Maybe Bob Owen will know.

As Ole says, someone will.

 

[Lefty]

Is there any combat documentation that it was ever drawn against a foe in anger?

 

[Nathanb1]

Is there any combat documentation that it was ever drawn against a foe in anger?

So what we're all interested in is that particular gun's personal history....when and where he got it, any documentation about its use, etc. I can't recall seeing anything in Robertson about it, or in Mighty Stonewall....sooooooo.....come on gun folks!

 

[BillO]

Is there any combat documentation that it was ever drawn against a foe in anger?

I don't know but would be willing to bet that weapon never saw field use or even a holster. Much too fancy and the ammo would have to be imported.

 

[diane]

That's what I want to know! His sword was rusted to its scabbard and I've heard his pistol was little better! Maybe his descendants fixed it up? Hope not. My dad's father's Colt Navy pistol was badly damaged when one of my uncles tried to 'restore' it. However, the old Maynard rifle he had is still as it was - bent barrel and all. (Grandad made mucho dinero - he rapped a determined robber atop his melon...It's currently in the museum. That's the gun, not the felon's melon.)

 

[Nathanb1]

That's what I want to know! His sword was rusted to its scabbard and I've heard his pistol was little better! Maybe his descendants fixed it up? Hope not. My dad's father's Colt Navy pistol was badly damaged when one of my uncles tried to 'restore' it. However, the old Maynard rifle he had is still as it was - bent barrel and all. (Grandad made mucho dinero - he rapped a determined robber atop his melon...It's currently in the museum. That's the gun, not the felon's melon.)

Maybe he got it about the time Stuart gave him the fancy uniform. Like I said, most of the stuff I've seen that belonged to Jackson is good quality. His prayerbook, for example, has a velveteen-type cover--worn from handling, but very nice. I suspect most non-equipment stuff was given to him, and I'll bet we find that out about his revolver.

 

[101combatvet]

http://www.littlegun.info/arme francaise/artisans k l/a lefaucheux gb.htm

The French made some excellent firearms.

 

[Nathanb1]

http://www.littlegun.info/arme francaise/artisans k l/a lefaucheux gb.htm

The French made some excellent firearms.

Very cool site. Once you see one, it's very distinctive.

 

[Nathanb1]

Going off to go through Robertson now....this is driving me crazy.

 

[diane]

Maybe he got it about the time Stuart gave him the fancy uniform. Like I said, most of the stuff I've seen that belonged to Jackson is good quality. His prayerbook, for example, has a velveteen-type cover--worn from handling, but very nice. I suspect most non-equipment stuff was given to him, and I'll bet we find that out about his revolver.

Jackson really did have good taste. He was not that poor, incidentally, although he did get quite a few nice gifts. That's interesting - I wonder, too, if Stuart got him that gun? Stuart was partial to the French weapons.

 

[Bob Owen]

His revolver is a French Lafaucheux brevete pinfire revolver of 12mm caliber. It was a Belgium copy of the Lafraucheux and was given to him by his men. Brevete means a copy. The pinfire was the first practicable metallic cartridge.

 

[ole]

On one of those "auction" shows (there are so many I forget which), the "stars" found a collection of ammo, some of which were the LaFaucheux cartridges. Miraculously, the prospective buyer had a revolver in his van. The cartridge didn't fire.

 

[Aaron]

Ok here is some info on this revolver!

First some back info:

Some of Stonewall Jackson's men were known to carry pinfire revolvers. Here are some excavated 9mm and 12mm pinfire cartridges (made by Chaudun and Chaudun & Derivière) recovered outside of Bunker Hill, WV in Jefferson County. They were recovered from a location where "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederate soldiers were camped for months before the Battle of Harpers Ferry.

Other pinfire cartridges have been found many other places as well including battles where Jackson's men were.

More info on these excavated cartridges can be found here:
http://freemycollection.com/?page=articles/Excavated-Civil-War-Pinfire-Cartridges

as well as a couple other articles of mine related to pinfire cartridges and the American Civil War here:
http://freemycollection.com/?page=articles

Now as for the revolver in question; his troops presented him with this revolver. It is inscribed "Presented to Major General Thomas J. Jackson by his Officers, Camp Near Richmond." on the side of the barrel.

I have personally handled this revolver. It is a 9mm and the proof marks show it to be of Belgian origin. It is double-action, and 12 inches long which is longer than a lot of 9mm revolvers.

 

[Lazy Bayou]

WOW... thanks for the info.

 

[cwtalker15]

Jackson was given a number of weapons by his men and friends. Check out this look alike Lefaucheux. It resembles the Jackson original, but this one is not as fancy. It is extremely similar!
In the book "The Confederate Lemat Revolver" by Doug Adams, he mentions that Jackson was also given a LeMat revolver in October, 1862, by General PT Beauregard, (see page 37 of the book). Don't you wonder what happened to that revolver??

 

[Nathanb1]

Awesome, Aaron! Thank you much. I haven't handled his revolver, but I touched his desk.

cwtalker, thanks also. Well, knowing Jackson he probably didn't throw it away.