Included in this lot is a French 12mm to .45 caliber conversion pinfire Lefaucheux M1858 revolver. The Lefaucheux M1858 was a French military revolver developed for the navy, chambered for the 12 mm pinfire cartridge, and based on a design by Casimir Lefaucheux and his son, Eugene (also a gun designer). The 1854 model was the first metallic-cartridge revolver adopted by a national government; the 1858 was the first variant fielded. It was first issued in 1858 by the French Navy (as either the Lefaucheux de Marine mle 1858 or simply M1858), and though never issued by the French Army, it was used in limited numbers by the French Cavalry during their 1862 deployment to Mexico. The 1858 was later upgraded in the late 1860s as the Lefaucheux de Marine 1870. It was accepted by the French Navy, but only 150 copies were delivered by 1872. Models of the 1858 were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, and Norway. Most were produced either at the state arsenal in St. Etienne (MAS), Liege, Belgium, or local producers under license. The revolver was sold to the civilian market as well. Most military models were produced only with single-action, whereas civilian models were made primarily with double action. The LeFaucheux M1854 was one of the few foreign-manufactured weapons to have been imported by the U.S. government during the American Civil War. Over 11,000 were ordered by Federal authorities for cavalry use, with most of these serving in the Western Theater. Although not imported by the Confederacy, some Southern officers are known to have carried LeFaucheux M1858 Revolvers. This revolver utilizes a 6 3/8” round/ octagonal barrel chambered in a .45 caliber. This pinfire revolver was converted from 12mm caliber. The grips show a beautiful dark hardwood (either rosewood or walnut) and tight fit to the metal frame. The frame of the revolver is stamped on the left below the cylinder. This revolver comes with a fine tooled leather holster. Serial Number: 34827. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.