Lefaucheux M1858 12mm pinfire Belgian revolver

Description

Lefaucheux M1858 12mm pinfire Belgian revolver, good overall condition with frame repair.  A very nice, fully functional pistol. Significant finish loss across frame, some pitting and light corrosion found throughout.  Likely 20th century repair to barrel toggle (weld), but could be period.  Appears to be Bronze repair.  Likely a crack at this juncture as these were common.  Retains about 20 to 30% original blue. Grips are in good but worn condition with no cracks or repairs.  Bears Liege proof marks as well as black powder proof.

The Lefaucheux M1858 was a French military revolver developed for the navy, chambered for the 12 mm pinfire cartridge, and based on a design by Casimir Lefaucheux and his son, Eugene (also a gun designer). The 1854 model was the first metallic-cartridge revolver adopted by a national government; the 1858 was the first variant fielded. It was first issued in 1858 by the French Navy (as either the Lefaucheux de Marine mle 1858 or simply M1858), and though never issued by the French Army, it was used in limited numbers by the French Cavalry during their 1862 deployment to Mexico. Most were produced either at the state arsenal in St. Etienne (MAS), Liège, Belgium, or local producers under license. The revolver was sold to the civilian market as well. Most military models were produced only with single-action, whereas civilian models were made primarily with double action. This model revolver, as well as the earlier M1854, were imported in large numbers by both the North and South during the American Civil war.