IDENTIFIED UNION CAVALRY ISSUE LEFAUCHEUX PINFIRE REVOLVER

IDENTIFIED UNION CAVALRY ISSUE LEFAUCHEUX PINFIRE REVOLVER

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$2,750.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-2215

This Model 1854 twelve-millimeter, or .44 caliber, Lefaucheux pinfire cartridge revolver is identified by serial number to Private Benjamin F. Miller of Company B, 9th Missouri Militia Cavalry (US).  Miller, a native of Millerstown, PA, was a thirty-two-year-old carpenter when he enlisted in the 9th Missouri cavalry (also known as Guitar’s Rifles) on January 20, 1862, at Sturgeon, Missouri. Private Miller served with this regiment through1862 and 1863. He was discharged for disability on Feb 12, 1864, at Saint Joseph, Missouri. The regiment successfully fought numerous bushwhackers and guerrillas in a number of engagements. Please view this link (9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry Regiment - Wikipedia).

Trooper Miller’s military, 12-mm, metallic pinfire cartridge revolver is identified by serial number on the unit’s ordnance records compiled in the fall of 1863. The 9th Missouri's Company B ordnance record shows the revolver "35,894" was issued to and had been "lost" by B.F. Miller. For this he was charged $13.00 which is the equivalent today of $275; about a month's pay for a trooper then. Perhaps he lost it in combat and the pistol ended up in Confederate hands?

This type of revolver was designed and produced by the highly acclaimed inventor of European firearms, Eugene Lefaucheux. Referred to as the Model 1854, these Lefaucheux revolvers were single action. This one was produced at his licensed production facilities at Liege, Belgium. These arms were highly sought after, and it is estimated that thousands were imported by the North and hundreds by the Confederacy. Revolvers bearing serial numbers from 25,XXX to 45,XXX are within the range of those imported here. This example is in good overall condition. the pinfire revolver measures an overall 11½ inches long with a six-shot unrebated cylinder. The barrel is 6 inches long. This sidearm has a plain cylinder with the six safety cams and the six pin slots. The weapon little original bluing or case colors. All the gunmetal has a dark gray mottled coloring from age. The serial number "35894" is stamped on the left side where the frame meets the barrel. The maker’s mark is visible on the left facet of barrel with a two-line stamp " E. LEFAUCHEUX" over "INVr. BREVETE". The cylinder has the Leige proof mark letters "E" over "LG" enclosed in an oval. It has an iron trigger guard, and it has the distinctive finger "spur" or rest. The revolver’s grips are two-piece and are varnished black walnut in good condition with smooth even wear. The cocking mechanics needs work as the indexing is of out of adjustment and when cocked the cylinder rarely rotates into place. Our "in house" gunsmith upon internal examination decided it best be left alone as in order to make it function crisply again new parts will be required. The cylinder loading gate and cartridge ejector are intact and functional. The revolver has a nice unmolested untouched and uncleaned look.

The firearm comes with the cavalryman’s military and pension records, as well as a copy, from the National Archives in Washington, of the page from company B's ordnance records which records to whom the revolver was issued its serial number and fate. An identified Civil War carried Lefaucheux is a rarity and this is a fine example.  [pe][ph:L]

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