M1855 E Lefaucheux

[Minnesota Joel]

A few years back I purchased a very finely engraved 12mm E Lefaucheux Brevete revolver. I'm trying to get as much information from an expert in Lefaucheux revolvers, since the seller was not particularly knowledgeable. I have a number of very detailed pictures that I am willing to share. For starters, I'll give a brief accounting of the revolver. S/N is 59601; on the cylinder is the Liege Belgium proof mark (a circle and in the circle is an E on top, an L to the left and a G to the right and on the bottom a star); next to the Liege proof is a capital M with a crown on top; on the barrel is also a capital M with a crown on top; the rear loading mechanism has a capital B facing rearward; on the front of the cylinder mechanism is also a capital B and next to that are two capital letters that appear to be WN. The grip is also engraved with a crosshatch design and on the top of the right grip, is a semicircle, with the open part facing down (my understanding is that this is perhaps the "signature" marking of the engraver. While I am no expert, I would rate this revolver as a very fine specimen. It is cited as being in the category of the "Stonewall" presentation revolver. I have been to the museum in Richmond, VA and have seen/handled and photographed the Stonewall Jackson Lefaucheux and the one I have is of vastly superior quality in all aspects (especially the engraving). (I should mention that the one in the Richmond museum has questionable provenance...as stated by the curator.) I'm looking for anyone that could help me fully research the revolver I have.

 

[CMWinkler]

Welcome.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

We would enjoy seeing a photo of your Lefaucheux revolver.

 

[Minnesota Joel]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

We would enjoy seeing a photo of your Lefaucheux revolver.

 

[Minnesota Joel]

I am including just one picture of my Lefaucheux...will provide more detail upon request.

 

[James N.]

Welcome to the forums; there is a Lefaucheux collector here who will hopefully see and respond to your question soon!

 

[chellers]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk. You are welcome to post additional pictures.

 

[Patrick H]

I am including just one picture of my Lefaucheux...will provide more detail upon request.

You have a fine looking revolver there. Welcome from Missouri.

 

[Minnesota Joel]

Welcome to the forums; there is a Lefaucheux collector here who will hopefully see and respond to your question soon!

 

[Minnesota Joel]

I am uploading additional pictures. The picture of the revolver purported to be given to Stonewall Jackson is included (the LeFaucheux with engraving on the barrel) along with a picture of the provenance write-up that the museum curator provided. The other pictures are of the LeFaucheux that I own. The similarities regarding the grip design are rather striking since I've not yet come across a similar grip shape.

 

[TinCan]

Excellent lookin weapon there Joel, thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Aaron]

I'm looking for anyone that could help me fully research the revolver I have.

Hi Joel, first of all are you sure this is 12mm? It looks more like a 9mm (as was Jackson's) but sometimes pictures can be deceiving.

Secondly, this is not a Lefaucheux revolver - in the strictest sense.

This revolver was not made by Lefaucheux. It was made by some Belgian company; whomever your "WN" stands for; and the "E Lefaucheux Inv Breveté" lets you know that that company licenced Lefaucheux's patent to make this.

The ELG proof is the definitive Liège, Belgium proof letting you know it was made after 1846.
The crowned M proof is the inspector's proof letting you know it was made between 1853 and 1877.

So what you have is a Belgian pinfire revolver made between 1853 and 1877 by a company whose mark is "WN."

 

[Minnesota Joel]

Hi Joel, first of all are you sure this is 12mm? It looks more like a 9mm (as was Jackson's) but sometimes pictures can be deceiving.

Secondly, this is not a Lefaucheux revolver - in the strictest sense.

This revolver was not made by Lefaucheux. It was made by some Belgian company; whomever your "WN" stands for; and the "E Lefaucheux Inv Breveté" lets you know that that company licenced Lefaucheux's patent to make this.

The ELG proof is the definitive Liège, Belgium proof letting you know it was made after 1846.
The crowned M proof is the inspector's proof letting you know it was made between 1853 and 1877.

So what you have is a Belgian 9mm pinfire revolver made between 1853 and 1877 by a company whose mark is "WN."

Since starting this dialog, I've had a gunsmith definitively calibrate the revolver...it is an 11mm pinfire revolver. As are the civil war era shells that I acquired at the time I purchased the "pattern 1955 Lefaucheux". I am aware that after Casimir Lefaucheux died, his son Eugene continued to innovate and improve the pinfire design and also that at that time the production passed from the family business to other production companies through the purchase of the patent from the Lefaucheux's. When I was at the Confederate War Museum in Richmond, VA...the "Stonewall Lefaucheux" that is purported to having belonged to Jackson, is not a 9mm revolver. I'm looking for any links or resources that could help me uncover additional details. The books that I've purchased and the links that I've followed to date all are a bit vague regarding precise dating. I like that you've given a range of 1853 to 1877...that is very helpful. Any chance of getting more detail would be appreciated.

 

[James N.]

...I like that you've given a range of 1853 to 1877...that is very helpful. Any chance of getting more detail would be appreciated.

I recently was looking for something else in a French publication on uniforms and weapons in the collection of the Musee de l'Armee in Paris. The volume was specifically on the Franco-Austrian and Franco-Prussian Wars and the Expedition to Mexico and it showed Lefaucheuxs as being regulation issue throughout the period covered, roughly 1854 - 71.

 

[cwtalker15]

I am uploading additional pictures. The picture of the revolver purported to be given to Stonewall Jackson is included (the LeFaucheux with engraving on the barrel) along with a picture of the provenance write-up that the museum curator provided. The other pictures are of the LeFaucheux that I own. The similarities regarding the grip design are rather striking since I've not yet come across a similar grip shape.

Here is another example of a Lefaucheux that is very similar to yours, although not as fancy and is well used. The grips are indeed very unusual, but I have seen several of them at Civil War Shows

 

[Minnesota Joel]

Excellent!! Best similar example that compares to mine that I've been able to see. Where did you see this? I'd like to reach out to the owner to see if he/she has any more information. Thanks!

 

[CT_civilwar_buff]

Hello,
If the guns provenance is real or not, it is still a beautiful gun.I am very good at researching civil war soldiers and I could maybe help with the research part.(If that Letter is right about who owned then, WOW JUST WOW!)

 

[cwtalker15]

Excellent!! Best similar example that compares to mine that I've been able to see. Where did you see this? I'd like to reach out to the owner to see if he/she has any more information. Thanks!

M Joel-- I am the owner; this Lefaucheux is in my collection. I got it from a dealer a couple of years ago. It is in very good condition with all parts working well and no replacements. Those French/Belgians knew how to manufacture good "hardware."
If I see another one similar to ours in the near future, I will let you know.

 

[Minnesota Joel]

M Joel-- I am the owner; this Lefaucheux is in my collection. I got it from a dealer a couple of years ago. It is in very good condition with all parts working well and no replacements. Those French/Belgians knew how to manufacture good "hardware."
If I see another one similar to ours in the near future, I will let you know.

 

[Minnesota Joel]

After re-researching information from my copy of the "Systeme Lefaucheux" book by Curtis, I've created the uploaded document/file. Please read and tell me if you have additional information. Thank You.