The proof marks on the barrel and cylinder consist of a crown over EL and indicate this revolver was produced in Belgium. This pistol is marked on the left side of the barrel breech E. 32 caliber, pin fire, double action revolver.

The Lefaucheux faced competition from various revolvers of the era, particularly the Beaumont-Adams Revolver (the first true double action revolver) and the Remington 1858.E. Soon, however, the Lefaucheux began to be replaced as Colt and Remington increased their production to quickly supply both sides. The French Cavalry would also use the Lefaucheux during their deployment to Mexico in 1862, while other Lefaucheuxs would be sold to various nations such as Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Norway and Russia as well as both sides of the American Civil War.ĭuring the American Civil War 12,000 Lefaucheuxs were purchased for use by the Union forces, which were largely issued to cavalry units. The Lefaucheux M1858 was never adopted by the French Army, the French Navy instead adopting it as their primary service revolver in 1858. This cartridge was specifically designed for the Lefaucheux with a pinfire primer and blackpowder charge, while the large calibre better matched the other firearms of the era.

The Lefaucheux M1858 was chambered to accept a 12mm diameter bullet, fired from a metallic cartridge. An extractor system was also featured on the Lefaucheux, which had an ejector rod that ran along the barrel and pushed cartridges out of the gate. The gate would then be closed before firing (although the Lefaucheux would still fire with it open). When open, the gate allowed acess to the the 1st chamber on the right-hand side of the hammer and allowed the user to load each chamber one at a time. The Lefaucheux also had a basic double action system, and was one of the earliest examples of a true double action system (following the Beaumont-Adams Revolver).Ĭartridges were loaded via a hinged gate located at the rear of the cylinder. The percussion lock system itself was modified to allow the Lefaucheux to use pinfire cartridges, with the hammer modified to better strike the cartridge. The Lefaucheux M1858 was of a fairly basic design, with an open frame and a modified percussion lock system.

Lefaucheux revolver.