AP110 - A better than normal Lefaucheux pinfire revolver
Marquis “Lefaucheux” 8mm pinfire revolver, much better than normal examples of these. Although a typical pinfire revolver for self-defence, it is of a much higher quality than the normal Liege offerings, from a quality Parisien maker. Octagonal to round rifled 9cm (3½”) barrel, signed "Fcis Marquis Ble 4 Brd des Italiens Paris", with octagonal base featuring the serial number "LF 14482", so implicit is that it was made under licence from the famous Casimir Lefaucheux; something seldom seen with this sort of revolver: one expects a Belgian rip-off of often dubious quality. The smooth six-shot cylinder retains a very large proportion of original blue, as does the barrel. Smooth, bright frame (some old staining) with side loading gate and side mounted cartridge ejector, folding trigger (which works!!) with Lefaucheux patent mark. Typical mid to late 19th century shaped butt with wooden grips. Boulevard des Italiens was a prestigious Paris address and Francis Marquis had 2 puis 4 (initially number 2 and then number 4) Boulevard des Italiens, Paris. Clearly a quality gunmaker, Francis Marquis exhibited at the Paris exhibitions of 1855, 1867 and London 1862. His workshops and a co-operative factory founded 1848, so quite a novel entrepeneur. The odd patches of staining would improve with gentle cleaning, with much original blue remaining to a generally crisp gun.