Presented here is a Model 1854 twelve-mm Lefaucheux pinfire revolver identified by serial number to Private Benjamin F. Miller of Company B, 9^th Missouri State Militia Cavalry (US).  Miller, a native of Millerstown, PA, was a thirty-two year old carpenter working in Missouri when he enlisted in the 9^th Missouri cavalry (also known as Guitar’s Rifles) on January 20, 1862 at Sturgeon, MS. Private Miller served with this hard-fought unit thru 1862 and 1863 with action against numerous bushwhackers and guerrillas in a number of engagements, raids, skirmishes, including railroad duty in Northern Missouri.  It was during the Sep / Oct 1863 time frame that Miller ‘lost’ his Lefaucheux pistol on duty and was charged $13.00 for it.  He was discharged for disability on Feb 12, 1864 at Saint Joseph, Missouri. Miller later tried for a military pension but was denied. He died on December 28, 1912 in Mound Valley, MO.

Trooper Miller’s military, 12mm, metallic pinfire cartridge revolver is identified via serial number on the unit’s ordnance records.  Handgun was designed and produced by the highly acclaimed inventor of European firearms, Eugene Lefaucheux. Referred to as the Model 1854, the Lefaucheux revolver is a single action, standard military caliber arm produced at his licensed production facilities at Liege, Belgium. In good overall condition, the pinfire revolver measures an overall 11½” long with a six-shot unrebated cylinder matched to a 155mm long, round barrel.  Sidearm is a 12mm / .44 caliber model with a plain cylinder with the six safety cams and the six pin slots. Weapon is void of any original bluing or case colors and all gunmetal wears a dark gray mottled coloring.

Serial number “35894” is stamped on the left side where frame meets barrel. Maker’s mark visible on the left facet of barrel with a two-line stamp “E. LEFAUCHEUX / INV BREVETE”.  Cylinder wears the definitive Leige proof mark of the letters “E  / L G” all enclosed in an elongated circle. A large, iron trigger guard fits the frame and exhibits the distinctive middle finger rest. Revolver’s grips are two-piece unvarnished black walnut in very good condition with smooth even wear.  Mechanics need work as the indexing is of out of adjustment. Cylinder loading gate intact and functional. A unique Missouri soldier-identified collectible revolver.  Comes with the cavalryman’s military and pension records, as well as a copy of the page from company ordnance records with the serial number, from the National Archives in Washington, DC.

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