Brevete L. Herman Pistol - The Firearms Forum

jksworld1 · 12-19-2010, 02:51 PM

I have a 6 shot revolver that is labeled "brevete" and L. Herman with the number "1639". It has an octagon barrel and an engraved handle. I tried to attach a picture. If that didn't work I can email a picture. Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks for your help.
Jason

BETH · 12-19-2010, 02:55 PM

welcome to the forum, boy that looks like an oldie but goodie, someone will be along to help u

RJay · 12-19-2010, 03:54 PM

Brevete is French for Patent. A word used very freely by both the French and Belgium gun makers, whether or not it really was patented. Look on the face of cylinder for proof makings. If it was made in Europe, it will have national proof marks. One that you may find is the letters ELG in a circle or oval.

jksworld1 · 12-19-2010, 04:11 PM

It does have ELG in an oval. What does it mean? It also has a "1" and "2" and an "S" with a star.

Thanks for the help.

hrf · 12-19-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksworld1

It does have ELG in an oval. What does it mean? It also has a "1" and "2" and an "S" with a star.

Thanks for the help.

The ELG in oval is the Liege, Belgium proofmark. If there's a crown on top of the oval, it was made after 1892. Without the crown, before 1893.

jksworld1 · 12-19-2010, 04:36 PM

It does not have a crown, just a star in the circle. So it looks like it was made before 1892. Any ideas what it is?

Thanks,
Jason

RJay · 12-19-2010, 05:13 PM

Belgium made tens of thousands ( perhaps hundred of thousands ) of small personal defense revolvers for sale through Europe and the U.S. While not familiar with the name L. Herman the Belgians were also very free spirited when it came to putting names on their art work. It could be the name of the maker ( not very likely ) or just a German sounding name to fool the unwary into thinking it was German made and of a higher quality ( more likely ). These sold through the mail order catalogs for as little two dollars when new. While unusual appearing these guns are not uncommon and don't have a lot of value. Yours looks to be in poor condition , I would say maybe 50 dollars or less.

12-19-2010, 02:51 PM	#1
jksworld1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3	Brevete L. Herman Pistol I have a 6 shot revolver that is labeled "brevete" and L. Herman with the number "1639". It has an octagon barrel and an engraved handle. I tried to attach a picture. If that didn't work I can email a picture. Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks for your help. Jason Attached Images -->

12-19-2010, 02:55 PM	#2
BETH Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: naugatuck,Ct. Contributor Posts: 6,668	Re: Brevete L. Herman Pistol welcome to the forum, boy that looks like an oldie but goodie, someone will be along to help u

12-19-2010, 03:54 PM	#3
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Brevete L. Herman Pistol Brevete is French for Patent. A word used very freely by both the French and Belgium gun makers, whether or not it really was patented. Look on the face of cylinder for proof makings. If it was made in Europe, it will have national proof marks. One that you may find is the letters ELG in a circle or oval. __________________ RonJames

12-19-2010, 04:11 PM	#4
jksworld1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Brevete L. Herman Pistol It does have ELG in an oval. What does it mean? It also has a "1" and "2" and an "S" with a star. Thanks for the help.

12-19-2010, 04:36 PM	#6
jksworld1 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Brevete L. Herman Pistol It does not have a crown, just a star in the circle. So it looks like it was made before 1892. Any ideas what it is? Thanks, Jason

12-19-2010, 05:13 PM	#7
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Brevete L. Herman Pistol Belgium made tens of thousands ( perhaps hundred of thousands ) of small personal defense revolvers for sale through Europe and the U.S. While not familiar with the name L. Herman the Belgians were also very free spirited when it came to putting names on their art work. It could be the name of the maker ( not very likely ) or just a German sounding name to fool the unwary into thinking it was German made and of a higher quality ( more likely ). These sold through the mail order catalogs for as little two dollars when new. While unusual appearing these guns are not uncommon and don't have a lot of value. Yours looks to be in poor condition , I would say maybe 50 dollars or less. __________________ RonJames