SPANISH MADE LEFAUCHEUX BY ORBEA HERMANOS

$1,295.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2022-2415

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This follows the pattern generally termed the Model 1854, but there were variations. Holding six pinfire 12mm (about .47 caliber) cartridges loaded in the cylinder through a side loading gate and carrying an ejector rod mounted on the frame, these pistols were instantly popular from their use of self-contained metallic cartridges that stood up to rougher handling, were waterproof, and did away with the need for percussion caps. Although outnumbered by US made revolvers like Colt and Remington, the Lefaucheux was the most widely imported pistol. McAulay notes that over 1,600 were in the field with U.S. cavalry by July 1863. Schwalm and Hoffman place the number purchased during the war by the U.S. government at around 12,000 with many others imported for private purchase through commercial dealers or sold out of dealer inventories, both north and south.

These were generally made by the company or on license in Liege, etc., but there were other producers. This one was made in Eibar, a Spanish counterpart to Liege as a gun-making center, and marked on the barrel by “ORBEA HERMANOS EIBAR,” a firm founded in 1859 and which turned out copies of the Lefaucheux, the Kerr, and other popular guns. This is numbered 1481 on the forward frame and likely dates early in their production run. We note that Christies sold an Orbea Lefaucheux years ago numbered 6953, which they dated to 1861. That pistol also bore the Richmond, Va., retailer’s address of Samuel Sutherland, a gunsmith and importer. As an indicator of its popularity we note that an engraved Lefaucheux was thought a suitable pistol for presentation to Stonewall Jackson.

This has smooth metal, steel gray in color with darker gray stains, and a tight fit of the grips to the frame. The grips show handling marks and dings, but no chips or cracks, and have good color. The butt retains its military style lanyard ring. The triggerguard has its characteristic finger rest.  The hammer does show a recent, though barely noticeable, repair just behind the head. The action is good.

We use as a bit of clip art the classic portrait of a US cavalryman with one a Lefaucheux from Herb Peck’s collection, as used in McAulay’s book on Civil War pistols.  [sr] [ph:m/L]

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