Original U.S. Civil War Era Continental Engraved 9mm Pinfire Double Action Revolver Serial 58875 - c. 1860

Original item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting European Continental Pinfire revolver, made very much in the French style, and mostly covered in excellent foliate engraving. It looks to be in 9mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, double / single action with a 6 round cylinder. Like most we see, there are no maker markings, and we were not able to find any proofs whatsoever. The quality and style of manufacture certainly points to the Belgian Gunmaking city of Liège, who may have avoided putting their proofs on export guns destined for the Americas. During the U.S. Civil War, the area full of contractors producing guns for the export market, particularly to the C.S.A.. Many were already making guns under contract to French makers, so they already had all the designs and tooling on hand. The Pinfire system was the earliest form of "Cartridge" developed with a pin projecting out at 90 degrees to the cartridge case. When depressed by the falling hammer the cartridge discharged.