Lefaucheux M1858
| Lefaucheux M1858 | |
|---|---|
 Lefaucheux-style revolver made in Liège, Belgium, circa 1860-1865. On display at Morges castle museum. |
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| Type | Pinfire revolver |
| Place of origin |  France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1858-1865 |
| Used by | France, Switzerland, Belgium, USA |
| Wars | American Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Casimir Lefaucheux |
| Designed | 1858 |
| Manufacturer | Various |
| Produced | 1858-1865 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 600 grammes |
| Length | 280 mm |
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| Cartridge | Pinfire |
| Calibre | 12 mm |
| Action | Double Action revolver |
| Muzzle velocity | 168 m/s |
| Feed system | 6-round cylinder |
| Sights | fixed front post and rear notch |
The Lefaucheux M1858 was a French military revolver, chambered for the 12mm pinfire cartridge, based on a design by Casimir Lefaucheux. It was the first metallic-cartridge revolver adopted by a national government.[1] It was first fielded in 1858 by the French Navy, and though never issued by the French Army, it was used in limited numbers by the French Cavalry during their 1862 deployment to Mexico.[2] Models were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, Norway, and both the Confederate and Federal forces in the American Civil War.
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[edit] Design
The revolver was a six-shot open-framed design, which was loaded via a hinged gate on the right side of the frame, through which empty cartridges were also ejected via an ejector rod running along the barrel.
[edit] The American Civil War
During the American Civil War both sides fielded a wide variety of revolvers, including the M1858. The Federal forces purchased over 12,000 M1858 revolvers, primarily supplying them to cavalry forces in 1862. However, these pinfire revolvers were replaced in service later in the war as more Colt and Remington revolvers became available.[3] Among American troops, the pistol was often referred to as the "French Trantor".[4]
[edit] Variants
- The Danish military fielded the Lefaucheux-Francotte M1865/97 in 11.45mm centrefire.
[edit] References
- ^ Pistols: an illustrated history of their impact. Jeff Kinard. ABC-CLIO, 2004. ISBN 1851094709, 9781851094707. Pg 110
- ^ Kinard, 110
- ^ The Guns that Won the West: Firearms on the American Frontier, 1848-1898. John Walter. MBI Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 1853676926, 9781853676925. Pg 98.
- ^ Kinard, 110
[edit] Bibliography
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lefaucheux M1858 |
- The Pinfire Pepperbox Explained by Gerard Henrotin (H&L Publishing / HLebooks.com - 2009)
