Set on half cock, the cylinder is free for loading. On the barrel frame left side is the factory stamp in an arc, INVOR E LEFAUCHEUX/BREVETE Sgdg (PARIS), settling the spelling of his name, at least. Unscrewing the front trigger-guard screw releases the barrel, which then can be unscrewed from the fixed cylinder pin.
The cylinder is bright on the rear face and is stamped between chambers “D” and “55.” On the loading gate when swung open can be seen the same small “D” and 55, evidently an assembly number. On the right of the barrel frame is the LF trademark and the number 7411, stamped after final polishing. Lefaucheux single action cavalry revolver in the author’s collection is nicely engraved by the seller, whose name, elaborately etched on top the barrel, is: Numerous LeFaucheux shotguns and revolvers exist with other makers’ names upon them the guns were actually made by Lefaucheux in Paris, though some were licensed to Liege gunmakers, as evidenced by proof marks. The lockwork was a single action design of the Belgian inventor, Mariette. The military model of this arm in 12mm was probably the gun imported at $17 by Godillot, as well as by Schuyler and Hartley later. Lefaucheux also designed a rotating breech pistol, with a side loading gate for pushing the cartridges in from the rear. Nevertheless, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham had sold these guns since Hartley’s pre War trips to Europe, and, as with other premium and special guns, they had a limited vogue, especially among the French sportsmen resident in Louisiana, many of whom could send regularly to friends or family to get more ammunition on the next packet boat. Metallic ammunition was not too plentiful in the ordinary trade. These hammers had to be set on half cock before the barrels would open then the fired shells could be extracted by one’s fingers. The side hammers had flat ends that slammed the cartridge pins in, detonating the cap and the charge. A lever extending for Ward under the forearm beneath the barrels pushed to one side, disengaging the barrel group and permitting it to flop down Wards exposing the breech. For this cartridge, Lefaucheux devised the break-open shotgun and though simpler hinges have since been designed, his was the first. Inside the base was a common percussion cap at right angles to the line of bore, and entering the cap through paper and base metal was a copper pin which protruded from the side of the shell about V* inch. As early as 1836, Lefaucheux had developed a copper based shotshell cartridge, of rolled paper.
The revolvers and to a lesser extent the shot gun of Lefaucheux figured in the early days of the War. Lefaucheux’ most famous design was the innovation of a bottom lever top break action breechloading shotgun, and that became his trademark symbol.
Stamped on the frame, usually to the left by the serial number, is the mark “LF under a shotgun action, broken.” E. The barrel extends in a frame section underneath the cylinder, which is open at top with no frame above. A side rod ejector pushes the empty cartridges back out of the cylinder when the loading gate is swung open. The arm is carried in the position of “Raise, PISTOL,” the finger outside of the guard. The spur is to place the trigger finger while mounted, in a charge or otherwise riding, after the order to cock the pistol has been given. martial revolver, and almost all were imported of the “cavalry” form of trigger guard, with a small spur as an extension of the square-back form. Some of these were sold through Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, commercially. Hinged forward for easy pocket concealment. Battles in which he fought were carved on ivory grips.
36 until his death in November, 1865, from exposure and effects of wounds.
Barrel is unmarked serial number on usual parts is 302, stamped upside down.įancy Whitney’s were scarce this engraving is much worn and plated over but may be original with period of gun’s use. 36 has similar lion-eagle cylinder stamping with experimental groove between stop slots, and two piece handle. While the 12mm DA type has a rounded trigger guard, the smaller calibers (9mm, 7mm) often have folding triggers, The single action frames are curved at the back the double action have a hump or prawl. Two basic types existed single action and double action. The gun, introduced about 1853 in France, was popular in 1863 it was adopted as the Swedish artillery pistol. Civil War pistols imported seem to range from approximately 25,000 to about 37,000 serials. Minister Sanford in Belgium also sent over 25 of the Lefaucheux, average price $7.96 4/10 a misleading price, as they were averaged out with 55,000 smoothbore and rifled muskets. The Lefaucheux or, as the American patent documents sometimes list them, Lefaucheaux, 12mm pinfire revolvers were most plentiful. Three of the foreign revolvers rate as very important U.S.