Original item. Only One Available. This is a really fantastic and rare U.S. Civil War era British 9mm pinfire revolver, with a MASSIVE TWELVE ROUND CYLINDER! Apparently the solution to not having to reload as often was this, resulting in a very impressive (and heavy) revolver. It is in the less common 9mm Lefaucheux pinfire chambering, and we assume was originally double action, or double / single, however unfortunately it is currently non-functional. The trigger pulls and the cylinder rotates a bit, but there are missing and broken internal components, so this is being sold entirely for it's rarity and historical significance.

The Pinfire system was the earliest form of "Cartridge" developed with a pin projecting out at 90 degrees to the cartridge case. When depressed by the falling hammer the cartridge discharged. At the time up against muzzle loading Revolvers these were revolutionary. They were also used in some rifles, and were available in many sizes, including 15mm, 12mm, 9mm, 7mm, 5mm, and 2mm. Like most things by the end of the Civil War technology had moved on and in the late 1860's regular type cartridges as we know them today had been introduced.

The revolver has a 5 1/2" long barrel, and measures about 10 inches in overall length. Its overall shape is much more reminiscent of French / Belgian designs than the British, with the lack of a top strap and the characteristic "bag" shaped grip. However, it is definitely British made, with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marking from the city of Birmingham, England on the bottom of the barrel. The cylinder is also marked by EVERY chamber with CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks. They are very small and need a magnifier to see, but the fact that every chamber is proofed alone is enough to know that this is a British revolver. The revolver is also marked with some assembly numbers as well as serial 196738 on the lower left side of the frame.

The most important marking by far however is what is on the top of the barrel strap:

D.C. HODGKINS & SONS. MACON, GA.

D.C. Hodgkins & Sons of Macon, Georgia, was a well-known firm during the pre-Civil War Era. They were a major Importer and Manufacturer of small arms, and were later taken over by the Georgia State government at the outbreak of war in 1861, after which it came to be known as the "Georgia State Arsenal ". Pinfire revolvers and cartridges were imported in large numbers by both sides during the Civil war, and with this connection is extremely likely that this revolver saw service in the Confederacy. Definitely some fantastic research potential here!

Overall condition shows an overall gray oxidized patina, giving it a fantastic aged look. In spite of the wear on the rest of the revolver, the checkered bag trips are still in great shape, and the lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip is still present. It still has a functional loading gate and ejector rod, and it's very possible that a highly motivated gunsmith may be able to fabricate the missing pieces in the action.

A fantastic historical gun from the Civil War era with a SOLID connection to the George State Arsenal, ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1859
Caliber: 9mm Lefaucheux
Ammunition Type: Pinfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 10 inches
Barrel Length: 5 1/2 inches
Action: Non-Functional
Feed System: 12 Shot Revolver

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