Presented here is a M1854 12mm Lefaucheux pinfire. 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.  Many were imported into this country during the Civil War.

In very good overall condition, this pinfire revolver measures approximately 12” overall with a six-shot unrebated cylinder matched to a 6 1/8” long barrel. Sidearm is a 12mm (approximately .44 caliber) model with a plain, unmarked cylinder featuring six safety cams and six pin slots. Serial number “34376” is stamped on the right side of frame under the cylinder along with the “LF” trademark. An oval-ish maker’s stamp visible on the left side of the frame reads, “INV^ON E LEFAUCHEUX” over "BREV…" before fading out. Top of barrel is engraved “INV^ON E. Lefaucheux Breveté S.G.D.G.” Bore is clear but a little dirty. The iron trigger guard exhibits the distinctive “spur” and the buttplate has the raised “diamond” shape with metal lanyard ring. These two features are usually known as the "military" or "cavalry" model while the "civilian" model has a round trigger guard and a flat, convex butt.  Mechanics are strong and the cylinder indexes well. Loading gate is intact and functional as is original spring-held ejector rod. All gunmetal is uniform in color with some original blue remaining. Fine surface pitting overall with a patch of heavier pitting at the muzzle and on the cylinder.

Revolver’s grips are two-piece black walnut in good original condition with no cracks or chips. The surface varnish has moderate wear.

Between September, 1861 and June, 1862, the Union Army purchased a total of 11,833 of these Lefaucheux model 1854 revolvers. 10,000 of these were delivered by Eugène Lefaucheux himself; 1,500 were purchased through Alexis Godillot, gunmaker at Paris and Liège, and the remaining 333 by 6 other American traders. All of these revolvers were manufactured by E. Lefaucheux in his Parisian shop, and bear serial numbers from 25067 to 36900. They were all issued to units and saw use during the whole war. The Union Army also purchased 1,856,680 cartridges for these weapons. Only small amount (about 10%) of this ammunition was produced in this country, the majority also coming from Europe.

This is a very nice pinfire revolver imported into the US during the Civil War.  [jet]

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