C.H. CHARLIER REVOLVER (BELGIAN PATENT INFRINGEMENT COLT NAVY REVOLVER)

C.H. CHARLIER REVOLVER (BELGIAN PATENT INFRINGEMENT COLT NAVY REVOLVER)

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$2,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1309-130

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To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
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Offered here is an attractive example of a Belgian Patent Infringement Colt Navy Revolver that was produced by Charles Charlier of Liege. Charlier worked as a gunmaker from circa 1847-1865 and received no fewer than five firearms patents, including at least three for revolvers, which were issued in 1857, 1858 and 1859. His Belgian patent #10,390 granted on 12 December 1857 was the one that covered the mechanism used in this particular revolver and is a violation of Colt’s patent regarding the rotation of a revolver’s cylinder by the operation of the hammer and the cylinder’s lock up.

As early as November of 1851, Colt’s English attorney who was helping to enforce his patents in England and Europe had written to Colt to make him aware of Charlier’s infringement. Eventually a lawsuit was brought against Charlier circa 1857-58 to end his production of infringement Colt patent handguns and this finally curtailed his production.

This Belgian Patent Infringement Colt Navy Revolver by Charles Charlier is one of his 1857 patent handguns. While the elongated frame, spur trigger guard and European style grip angle do not immediately bring a Colt revolver to mind, a second glance makes it clear that the gun is just a European copy Colt Navy revolver. The revolver is a 9mm (nominally .35 caliber) open top single action percussion handgun with a six-chambered unfluted cylinder and a 6” octagonal barrel. The two-piece design uses a wedge to secure the barrel section of the revolver to the frame just like the Colt. The barrel and loading lever that is secured by a spring-loaded wedge-shaped latch are pure and classic Colt designs as well. The rear portion of the gun has a very sleek European appearance but violates Colt’s patent.

The frame has a large capping recess cut into the right side of the recoil shield and a finger spur projects from the bottom rear of the trigger guard. The hammer has a very tall, nearly 90-degree spur and like a Colt utilizes a notch in the hammer nose as a rear sight. The markings on the gun are minimal. The bottom of the barrel was stamped in two lines CH CHARLIER / BREVETE, with only faint traces of the stamp remaining.

The revolver remains in good condition and is fairly crisp. The barrel retains a majority of original blue with thinning, scattered scuffs and marks, scratches and wear. The frame and cylinder retain only traces, while the backstrap and gripstrap show only a light gray patina.

The revolver is mechanically functional and indexes and locks up as it should. The two-piece wood grips are in good condition with only light dings overall.

Very interesting.  [jet][ph:L]

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