North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 98

Engraved Belgian Pinfire 7mm Revolver c.1800's

Estimate: $850 - $1,250

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Included in this lot is an unusual highly embellished and factory engraved 7mm pinfire revolver, circa 1860-1880. The pinfire system of ignition was invented and designed in Europe as one of the first successful self contained cartridges. In this round of ammunition, an extended “pin” protruding from the base of the cartridge case. The hammer strike on this pin would drive it into the cartridge to detonate a priming compound within the black powder charge to fire the lead bullet. Although somewhat slow to load, as each cartridge had to be aligned in the cylinder to expose the pin, the system worked quite well. Many of these revolvers were imported into the United States during and after the Civil War. Nearly all were manufactured in France and Belgium. It is interesting to note that President Theodore Roosevelt’s first shotgun, given to him as a boy, was chambered for pinfire shotshells. Most pinfire revolvers were plain, unadorned weapons of small size. This example with 3 3/8” barrel and six shot cylinder is very unusual in that it has lovely floral engraving on the cylinder, rear of the barrel, frame, back strap and trigger guard. The grips are also unusual because they are made from a rich brown gutta percha material with attractive high relief carving. Gutta percha was made from the resin of trees grown in Malaysia. It became a favorite material for revolver grips. Both grip panels on this handgun are in excellent condition. This example shows age, but no abuse or over-cleaning. Aside from needing a mechanical adjustment to revolve the cylinder, the revolver is in fine condition overall. Even the cartridge ejector rod is intact which is unusual as these are often missing. Small Belgian proof marks are visible on one rear outside portion of the cylinder. This revolver also comes with a full box of correct 7mm pinfire ammunition with full and attractive label on the box top! In part the label reads “Fabrik von Braun & Bloem, Dusseldorf” indicating German manufactured cartridges. There is also an eagle and stag coat of arms motif displayed on the label. The box is in remarkably excellent condition. Even singly, pinfire cartridges are extremely difficult to find with an original box in fine condition nearly impossible to locate today. This fancy revolver and box of ammunition comes with a glass top display case. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.
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