Name that pistol

[ftncityfatboy]

I changed my profile pix (not avitar pix) to display this pistol. My dad obtained this from my uncle when he returned from WWll. I took it to the gun show in knoxville after Christmas, and the following was determined: it is a pinfire pistol, belgium made pre-1877, and its a 9mm. The gent telling me this was according to several at the show, an expert on pinfire guns since he had written several books on the subject. He looked at the keymarks to determine origin, and gave me a brief history. I have no idea how much this is worth. AND, do you think it would hurt anything if I cleaned it up, or should I leave the dirt on it for added "value"????? If you have seen one of these, let me know and give me all the info you can. Dad is anxious to know about this. THANKS!!!!

[Guest gcrookston]

Though the picture is not well detailed, it appears to be a LeFaucheux or a very close copy (there were 100's of gunmakers in Belguim in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it wasn't uncommon for them copy others' works - including Colt). The design dates back to 1848 and wasn't unknown on US Civil War Battlefields.

If it is a LeFaucheux it should be marked "E Le Faucheux Brevete" on the barrel, though this address my have been lost to time or it is a copy. LeFaucheux made several dozen variations of the pistol from 1848 to about 1870, including 11mm and a 12 shot DA revolver.

I wouldn't clean it with more than gun oil and a cloth towel.

Reference: http://www.dhub.org/object/248416,marie

[towerclimber37]

It's an awesome looking pistol though!