ID this Revolver Please

[steven58]

This revolver appears to be in perfect mechanical condition but has no finish remaining but no rust or pitting. It seems to be a well made double action loading gate type revolver. Both the double and single action work smoothly and the cylinder seems tight and indexes correctly. The name "Lefaugheux" is on the top strap. the number 1854 is on the cylinder, right stock and right frame. The number 5164 is on the left frame. Is this French? Belgian? is ammo still available?

 

[barman]

OMG, it's a Lefaucheux 1870 Navy revolver, defintely one of the best sidearms of its time. Now your pictures are not clear enough to know wether this is a real French Navy revolver (they were all made in St Etienne, MAS) or a civilian version.

They fired a peculiar cartridge which was considered a good manstopper.

 

[jjohnson]

What?

Oh, heavens, you mean the French actually had a navy? And they had FIREARMS? Mon Dieu!

Well, it doesn't look like this one has been dropped more than once...

 

[steven58]

Thanks Barman,

This pistol belongs to a friend of mine. I will try to get better pictures posted here asap.

 

[Jim Watson]

In the mid 19th century, the French Navy led the world in sidearms. They had a pinfire revolver when their army was shooting muzzleloading singles and the best anybody else had was cap and ball. They had this double action when we were just ginning up the Colt and S&W single actions.

 

[barman]

BTW, here's a photograph of an original Lefaucheux 1870 Navy.

For your information, when these guns are in a good state, they regularly reach 4000 euros on gunshows in France.
Check if yours has an anchor stamp on the butt stock.

A civilian version very often sells for 1500 to 2000 euros.

FYI, Lefaucheux revolvers are known to have been the 4th most used revolvers in the US Civil War, after Colts, Remingtons and Starrs.

 

[barman]

For ammo, you can use either 11mm73 French, or .450 BP.

You can also try to duplicate the original ammo, the 12mm Marine, but be prepared to cut brass and cast lead.