Known as "Systeme Lefaucheux", the pin fire system was named after the French inventor, Casimir Lefaucheux. The M1858 double action pinfire cartridge revolver was in limited use during our American Civil War. The Union imported a large number of the earlier 1854 single action pinfire revolvers. The double action model 1858 pinfire revolver was commercially available in Europe prior to the Civil War and was generally produced for the Civilan market. This example was has Belgian proof marks, and is shaped with a walnut broom handle grip, but it otherwise unmarked.
This antique revolver is caliber 11mm pin fire, with six chambers in the cylinder. The exterior surfaces have a speckled gray patina with some areas of light texture. The 6" barrel has a tall post front sight, no rear sight is fitted. The front sight appears to be a old replacement, as they are typically steel. The style of the sight is correct in shape. The bore is mostly bright but does have some scattered dark spots. The loading gate swings upward and the spring works correctly to secure it closed. The cartridge ejector rod is mounted and retained by a boss at the side of the octagon portion of the barrel. Unlike later Colt revolvers, this ejector rod is all manual in operation. Press the rod to the rear to eject the cartridge, and return it manually to the front. No return spring is used, so the rod must be manually returned after each use. The rod is held snugly in position.
The M1858 revolver is double action, and has a very firm trigger pull in double action. The large hammer spur allows easy operation to cock for single action, and the trigger pull is very crisp in single action. The triggerguard is rounded and the broom handle walnut grip has a lanyard loop on the bottom to prevent loss in the field, which is common revolvers designed for cavalry use.
This revolver includes 17 unprimed pinfire rounds with brass pins. You must use brass pins to prevent damage to the hammer if you plan to fire this revolver.
Pinfire revolver rounds are found at many Civil War battlefields. The M1858 double action pinfire revolver was not as common as the earlier 1854 single action versions. The Union eventually replaced the the 1854 pinfire revolvers with Colt and Remington revolvers as they became available, likely due the logistics of suppling different cartridges to different units. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.