Also higher resolution versions are posted on my website, along with some that are not posted in this post:
http://freemycollection.com/Pinfire-Guns
First we will start with the 12mm pinfire revolvers. This first one is one of the ~13,000 that was purchased by the Union Army. It is a French Lefaucheux model 1854 pinfire revolver.
Next up is a Belgian 12mm version.
And another, slightly older, but I never posted them on here, image of the same gun:
Next is another Lefaucheux 1854. However it was later converted to a centerfire revolver by chopping off the top of the hammer, and welding a spike, and drilling a hole in the piece behind the cylinder.
Next is another 12mm that has nothing to do with the war, but it cool anyway. It is some odd homemade pistol. The barrel rotates 90° to the right to load it. (I personally think It is Casimir Lefaucheux' first prototype...but his great-grandson thinks I'm nuts as he would have never made something so crude!)
Next are a couple 15mm pistols. No official records of their use, but some people say there is evidence of their use, and people had them so it is logical one would bring it along with them!
Next 15mm one is a much higher end model by a luxury gun maker. It also came with 15mm auxillary adapters to allow its use with caps and balls. I have pictures of that if anyone want to see it.
I have many excavated 9mm pinfire cartridges from ACW sites, some found right along with 12mm ones, so it makes since the 9mm guns were used as well (Plus we've talked before about Jackson's 9mm revolver he carried, and the fancy version his men presented him.) I actually do not have a 9mm revolver, but here is a neat 9mm double barrel with duck-shaped-hammers.
And same story with 7mm. Highly ineffective for war use (about the same as a .22 short revolver!) but there are excavated cartridges so people must've brought them along! I guess it is better than nothing!
Same story once more about shotguns. No official records, but there are as many, if not more excavated pinfire shotgun bases as pistol cartridges. Here is a neat 20g pinfire shotgun.
And lastly here is a 5mm revolver while I am posting everything else. I have no evidence of this size ever being used.
Pinfire cartridges are my main collecting specialty I figure I may as well get a gun to go with each box! That's how it works...right?? The one on the top middle is an excavated example of the Lefaucheux 1854, Navy model. It was excavated at an ACW site in SC.
Feel free to ask any questions as I would be more than happy to answer.