M1855 E Lefaucheux

[cwtalker15]

MJoel- I must say that your information and research on your Lefaucheux is very detailed, enlightening and well done. My compliments on your efforts! My knowledge of these revolvers is very limited and I can add little to what you have indicated in the file.
Talking with many dealers through the years has shown me that often they will give their "best guess" as to what artifacts are. However, there are many times inaccuracies in their descriptions.
I might suggest that you attempt to contact the author of the book you cited and see if he can give you more information regarding the Lefaucheux.
I got mine in the first place because it so closely resembled the one that was owned by Stonewall Jackson and currently in the museum in Richmond, VA. It does make for a very interesting "conversation piece."
Post Script: I think that the grips of mine are made of hard rubber, but I am not really sure....

 

[Minnesota Joel]

MJoel- I must say that your information and research on your Lefaucheux is very detailed, enlightening and well done. My compliments on your efforts! My knowledge of these revolvers is very limited and I can add little to what you have indicated in the file.
Talking with many dealers through the years has shown me that often they will give their "best guess" as to what artifacts are. However, there are many times inaccuracies in their descriptions.
I might suggest that you attempt to contact the author of the book you cited and see if he can give you more information regarding the Lefaucheux.
I got mine in the first place because it so closely resembled the one that was owned by Stonewall Jackson and currently in the museum in Richmond, VA. It does make for a very interesting "conversation piece."
Post Script: I think that the grips of mine are made of hard rubber, but I am not really sure....

Thank You. I am trying to find an email address or phone number for the author...haven't been able to yet. I'm also reaching out to the publisher of Curtis' book (Armslore of Santa Ana, CA) and I am also reaching out to another resource in Georgia. I'll keep trying. Again, cwt15, thanks for your input as it is encouraging me along the path.

 

[19mac79]

I recently purchased a belgien pinfire revolver at a local arms fair supposedly civil war era. I'm really struggling to identity it exactly. I've found lots of pics of the same model of gun but all pics are auction house adverts stating civil war era Belgian model revolver. Mine is 11mm I think. May be 12mm. As soon as I work out how to upload pics off my phone I'll put it on the forum. Is there a good book on pinfire revolvers of the civil war?

 

[Minnesota Joel]

I recently purchased a belgien pinfire revolver at a local arms fair supposedly civil war era. I'm really struggling to identity it exactly. I've found lots of pics of the same model of gun but all pics are auction house adverts stating civil war era Belgian model revolver. Mine is 11mm I think. May be 12mm. As soon as I work out how to upload pics off my phone I'll put it on the forum. Is there a good book on pinfire revolvers of the civil war?

You will want to get the book by Chris C. Curtis entitled "Systeme Lefaucheux" subtitled 'Continuing the Study of Pinfire Cartridge Arms Including Their Role in the American Civil War' It's a bit pricey but give a look in Amazon or your favorite discount books web site. The book is well worth having as it should answer your questions...

Also, it is likely a 12 mm...little to no evidence of 11 mm Belgian pinfires by Lefaucheux or as a patent derivative of theirs. It's also a bit tricky to know where to measure the caliber...the book will help sort that out.

 

[lefaucheux]

Two very good books about Eugène Lefaucheux, his history and his production .

http://www.crepin-leblond.fr/_:A-PARAITRE-EUGENE-LEFAUCHEUX:_

http://www.crepin-leblond.fr/_:La-production-des-modeles-d-Eugene:_

 

[lefaucheux]

I've got this one

9 mm pinfire made in Belgium, made by Lefaucheux and finished by Victor Colette

 

[BillO]

**** that's a beauty! I've not yet had the opportunity to put one in my hand so what's the balance like?

 

[Story]

The 'go-to' guy for Belgian weaponry http://www.littlegun.info/

Here's his page on Eugène Lefaucheux - scroll down for date elaborations on the proofmarks
http://www.littlegun.be/arme belge/artisans identifies l/a lefaucheux eugene gb.htm

 

[Jobe Holiday]

BillO - The military models have a bit of a clumsy feel, IMHO. But, the civilian models are much more graceful and hold & point very comfortably!
J.

 

[FiremarshalBill]

This thread brings up a question I've had about an copper cased, un-fired Lefaucheux 12 mm pin-fire cartridge I have in my collection. I bought it from a Civil War firearms dealer in 1967 and I'm pretty sure it is authentic. I've heard that chemicals in black powder can separate or something over time and that they can become dangerous if knocked about or dropped. Are there any special precautions I should take with handling or displaying this 150+ year old un-fired cartridge? Thanks

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The black powder in the cartridge is quite stable. In my opinion, the only concern with pin fire cartridges is to not drop it on the pin!
J.

 

[cwtalker15]

You will want to get the book by Chris C. Curtis entitled "Systeme Lefaucheux" subtitled 'Continuing the Study of Pinfire Cartridge Arms Including Their Role in the American Civil War' It's a bit pricey but give a look in Amazon or your favorite discount books web site. The book is well worth having as it should answer your questions...

Also, it is likely a 12 mm...little to no evidence of 11 mm Belgian pinfires by Lefaucheux or as a patent derivative of theirs. It's also a bit tricky to know where to measure the caliber...the book will help sort that out.

Minnesota Joel-- Check this out. ... A Lefaucheux has just come up for auction at Gunsinternational.com that is similar to Stonewall Jackson's model. Go to http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...-jackson-model-revolver-.cfm?gun_id=100787030

The black powder in the cartridge is quite stable. In my opinion, the only concern with pin fire cartridges is to not drop it on the pin!
J.

Hey, Guys, check this out... a Lefaucheux revolver similar to Stonewall Jackson's model has just come up for auction at
Gunsinternational.com Go to http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...-jackson-model-revolver-.cfm?gun_id=100787030 and see what you think. Not a bad price either!

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[Longknife]

I've heard that chemicals in black powder can separate or something over time and that they can become dangerous if knocked about or dropped.

No truth to it.

Only glycerin based explosives (dynamite) becomes delicate with age if they are not turned as the glycerin seeps from the sawdust & puddles.

Blackpowder is very stable & will last nearly forever if kept dry. Back in the 70's I found a longrifle with my metal detector in the remains of a burned out cabin in Berks County PA. The rifle was in rough shape but was an interesting piece. In any case I realized it was still loaded by running a ramrod down it & comparing the depth to the outside of the barrel so I decided to pull the bullet (ball as it turned out) & the powder that trickled out (3F by today's equivalent) looked fine. Out of morbid curiosity I touched a match to it & POOF!