Original Civil War Era Engraved French M1854 Lefaucheux Cavalry Model 12mm Pinfire Revolver - Serial 23447

Original Item: Only One Available. The Model 1854 Lefaucheux pinfire revolver was a large frame single action variant of this popular French pinfire system.  The serial number 22873 is just outside the range of numbers of the revolvers officially imported to the USA during the Civil War (25,000-37,000) under contract. However, it is very possible that it was a private purchase made early in the war. The 1854 model was the first metallic-cartridge revolver adopted by a national government. Most were produced either at the state arsenal in St. Etienne (MAS), Liège, Belgium, or local producers under license. The revolver was sold to the civilian market as well. Most military models were produced only with single-action, whereas civilian models were made primarily with double action. This model revolver, as well as the later M1858, were imported in large numbers by both the North and South during the American Civil war. In many ways the large bore martial pinfire revolver, based upon the p