OLD LEFAUCHEAUX PINFIRE REVOLVER HELP PLEASE

[Mithras]

Hello,

kann anyone tell me anything about this revolver. Condition is not great but its dear to our family. I would be interested to know what model (date) it is. Its marked with a CROWN above U.

Cheers and thanks a lot !!!

[Smokin Guns]

Welcome mithras!...offhand I don't know, but i'll help look around with you!...Jump into any of the other forums around here while we're looking...Cheers!...http://images.ar15.com/forums/smiles/anim_beer.gif

[Mithras]

@ Smokin Guns

Thats very kind of you .

Cheers,

Rob:D

[Xracer]

The pinfire ignition system was invented by Casimir Lefauchaux in 1828 but wasn't widely used until the 1850's.

Your revolver is chambered for .43 caliber (and ammunition for it is a collector's item) and should have a 5.25-inch barrel.

Your gun originally had a blued finish. It was manufactured after 1865 and was selected for service by the French Military.

The Crown over the "U" is a proof mark.

Your revolver would rank in the "Fair" category and probably be worth in the neighborhood of $250 to $300.

[Mithras]

@Xracer

Thanks a lot ! But the caliber is definetly only 7mm. I know nothing about firearms but I am quite sure that cal.43 is larger ? (Please correct me if I am wrong). Can you be slightly more precise with the date ?

Thanks again for your friendly help !!

Rob:p

[Xracer]

As far as I know, the only Lefauchaux revolvers were made in pinfire and only in 11mm (.43 caliber).

7mm cartridges have a nominal bullet diameter of .284....and the only 7mm handgun cartridge with which I'm familiar is for the Japanese 7mm Baby Nambu, which your gun surely is not .

The Standard Catalog of Firearms gives a starting manufacturing date of 1865 for the Lefauchaux, but no ending date. However, in 1873, the French adopted a Standard Ordnance Revolver using a standard 11mm cartridge, so I don't suppose many pinfire revolvers would've been made after that.

[Mithras]

Hi there...

maybe you should have a look at this dealers website. No details...but all 7mm Pinfire revolvers.

http://pro.wanadoo.fr/la-belle-epoque-collectibles/french/f_arm_0002.htm

[Xracer]

OK......I stand corrected.

But the revolvers on that website are system Lefauchaux revolvers. That is, revolvers made using the Lefauchaux pinfire system.......not genuine French Lefauchaux revolvers, which I assumed yours was.

Yours is probably one of those Belgian copies then.

[lefaucheux 54]

You have a Belgium made 7 mm pinfire revolver
probably on the cylinder you will find the letters ELG
The U with the crown is the marking of the controller

LEFAUCHEUX made as will 5 mm , 7 mm , 9 mm , 12 mm and hudge 15 mm

If you want to know more about Lefaucheux revolvers and pinfire systems go to

http://lefaucheux.net
sorry but it's in french , or go to

http://www.littlegun.be
in french and english

LF 54

[45Auto]

Most of these little pocket pistols are open top. Yours is a little more interesting given that it has a strap over the top of the cylinder.

The Crown U proof mark is German, they started using it around 1893. The crown U proof was applied to all fireamrs sold in Germany, even older imported firearms.

7mm pinfire was rather common in Europe. At one time, UMC in the US made this round in the 1870-90 era. 7mm pinfire uses a hollow base, heal seated, bullet.

I don't think your revolver was made by Lefauchaux of Paris. It's more likely a Belgian product, sold in Germany. Though obsolete, pinfire revolvers were being sold - new - as late as 1911.

Best regards,
Greg

[lefaucheux 54]

As far as I know, the only Lefauchaux revolvers were made in pinfire and only in 11mm (.43 caliber).

7mm cartridges have a nominal bullet diameter of .284....and the only 7mm handgun cartridge with which I'm familiar is for the Japanese 7mm Baby Nambu, which your gun surely is not .

The Standard Catalog of Firearms gives a starting manufacturing date of 1865 for the Lefauchaux, but no ending date. However, in 1873, the French adopted a Standard Ordnance Revolver using a standard 11mm cartridge, so I don't suppose many pinfire revolvers would've been made after that.

No Lefaucheux made revolvers in 2 mm , 5 mm 7 mm 9 mm 11 mm and 15 mm

2 mm
http://www.lesgrosbarbares.info/lefaucheux/index.php?file=Sections&op=article&artid=88

I'am sorry but I'vent got a 5 mm Lefaucheux

7 mm
http://www.lesgrosbarbares.info/lefaucheux/index.php?file=Sections&op=article&artid=14

9 mm
http://www.lesgrosbarbares.info/lefaucheux/index.php?file=Sections&op=article&artid=11

11 mm
http://www.lesgrosbarbares.info/lefaucheux/index.php?file=Sections&op=article&artid=33
And
http://www.lesgrosbarbares.info/lefaucheux/index.php?file=Sections&op=article&artid=82

Sorry no 15 mm in my collection

LF