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|image=Revolver Lefaucheux IMG 3108.jpg
|image=Revolver Lefaucheux IMG 3108.jpg
|image_size=300
|image_size=300
|caption=Lefaucheux-style revolver made in [[Liège]], [[Belgium]], circa 1860-1865. On display at [[Morges]] castle museum.
|caption=Lefaucheux-style revolver made in [[Liège]], [[Belgium]], circa 1860 – 1865. On display at [[Morges]] castle museum.
|origin=[[Second_French_Empire|France]]
|origin=[[Second French Empire|France]]
|type=[[Pinfire cartridge|Pinfire]] [[revolver]]
|type=[[Pinfire cartridge|Pinfire]] [[revolver]]
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->
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<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1858–1873
|service=1858–1873
|used_by=[[Second_French_Empire|France]]<br>[[Belgium]]<br>[[Empire of Brazil|Brazil]]<br>[[Confederate States]]<br>[[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]<br>[[Spain]]<br>[[Union between Sweden and Norway|Sweden]]<br>[[Denmark]]<br>[[United States]]<br>[[Empire of Japan|Japan]]<br>[[Blackbirding|Blackbirders]]<br>
|used_by=[[Second French Empire|France]]<br />[[Belgium]]<br />[[Empire of Brazil|Brazil]]<br />[[Confederate States]]<br />[[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]<br />[[Spain]]<br />[[Union between Sweden and Norway|Sweden]]<br />[[Denmark]]<br />[[United States]]<br />[[Empire of Japan|Japan]]<br />[[Qing dynasty|China]]<ref>Jowett, Phillip, Imperial Chinese Armies 1840–1911 (2016)</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2023}}
|wars=[[French intervention in Mexico]]<br>[[American Civil War]]<br>[[Paraguayan War]]<br>[[Franco-Prussian War]]<br>[[Boshin War]]<br>[[Second Schleswig War]]<br>
|wars=[[Second French intervention in Mexico|French intervention in Mexico]]<br />[[Unification of Italy|Italian Wars of Unification]]<ref>Esposito, Gabriele, "Armies of the Italian Wars of Unification 1848–70 (2)": Osprey Publishing (2018)</ref><br />[[American Civil War]]<br />[[Paraguayan War]]<br />[[Franco-Prussian War]]<br />[[Boshin War]]<br />[[Second Schleswig War]]<br />[[First Sino-Japanese War]]<br />
<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=Casimir and Eugene Lefaucheux
|designer=Casimir and Eugene Lefaucheux
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|manufacturer=Various
|manufacturer=Various
|production_date=1858–1865
|production_date=1858–1865
|unit_cost=$17 per one revolver and 50 rounds (1861)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NJoFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA154 Purchase of arms], House Documents, 1861, P. 154.</ref>
|unit_cost=$17 per one revolver and 50 rounds (1861)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NJoFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA154 Purchase of arms], House Documents, 1861, p. 154.</ref>
|number=
|number=
|variants=numerous
|variants=numerous
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|weight={{convert|980|g|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|980|g|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|280| mm|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|280| mm|abbr=on}}
|barrel length={{convert|155 | mm|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|155 | mm|abbr=on}}
|cartridge=12 mm Lefaucheux
|cartridge=[[12 mm Lefaucheux]]
|caliber={{convert|12 |mm|abbr=on}}
|caliber={{convert|12 |mm|abbr=on}}
|action=[[Single-action]] (military), [[Traditional_double-action|double-action]] (civilian)
|action=[[Single-action]] (military), [[Traditional double-action|double-action]] (civilian)
|rate=
|rate=
|velocity={{convert|168| m/s|abbr=on}}
|velocity={{convert|168| m/s|abbr=on}}
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}}
}}


The '''Lefaucheux M1858''' was a French military revolver developed for the navy, chambered for the 12&nbsp;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<ref>Kinard,Jeff ''Pistols: An illustrated history of their impact''. ABC-CLIO, 2004. {{ISBN|1-85109-470-9}},{{ISBN|978-1-85109-470-7}}.p. 110</ref> 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.<ref>Kinard, 110</ref> 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.<ref>Van Mastrigt, Guillaume ''La Production Des Modeles D'Eugene Lefaucheux'' . Crépin-Leblond, 2016. {{ISBN|2703004109}}, {{ISBN|978-2703004103}}</ref> Models of the 1858 were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, and Norway. Most were produced either at the state arsenal [[Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne]] (MAS), [[Liège]], [[Belgium]], or local producers under license.<ref>Van Mastrigt, 2016</ref> 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.<ref>Van Mastrigt, 2016</ref>
The '''Lefaucheux M1858''' was a French military revolver developed for the navy, chambered for the 12&nbsp;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.<ref name="Kinard p110">Kinard, Jeff. ''Pistols: An illustrated history of their impact''. ABC-CLIO, 2004. {{ISBN|1-85109-470-9}},{{ISBN|978-1-85109-470-7}}. p. 110</ref> 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.<ref name="Kinard p110" />


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.<ref>Van Mastrigt, Guillaume ''La Production Des Modeles D'Eugene Lefaucheux'' . Crépin-Leblond, 2016. {{ISBN|2703004109}}, {{ISBN|978-2703004103}}</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2023}} Models of the 1858 were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, and Norway. Most were produced either at the state arsenal [[Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne]] (MAS), [[Liège]], [[Belgium]], or local producers under license.<ref>Van Mastrigt, 2016</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2023}} 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.<ref>Van Mastrigt, 2016</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2023}}
<!-- Length 11.6", weight 38oz -->


==Design==
==Design==
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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.
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.


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. This number surpasses that of many American-manufactured arms and makes the LeFaucheux M1854 a significant U.S. martial arm of the period. Although not imported by the Confederacy, some Southern officers are known to have carried LeFaucheux M1858 Revolvers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/a-nation-asunder-1861-to-1865/case-17-civil-war-imported-arms/lefaucheux-double-action-pinfire-revolver.aspx|title=NRA Museums:|website=www.nramuseum.org|access-date=2018-12-18}}</ref>
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. This number surpasses that of many American-manufactured arms and makes the LeFaucheux M1854 a significant U.S. martial arm of the period. Although not imported by the Confederacy, some Southern officers are known to have carried LeFaucheux M1858 Revolvers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/a-nation-asunder-1861-to-1865/case-17-civil-war-imported-arms/lefaucheux-double-action-pinfire-revolver.aspx|title=LeFaucheux Double Action Pinfire Revolver |publisher=NRA Museums |access-date=2018-12-18}}</ref>


{{clear}}
{{clear}}
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"The pistol is 31 cm in overall length with a caliber of 1.3 cm, a revolver of the type invented in the mid 19th century by the Frenchman Lefaucheux."<ref>[http://archaeology.jp/sites/dejima/dejima1.html "Dejima Oranda Shōkan: Western style pistol and bullets, and related items"]</ref>
"The pistol is 31 cm in overall length with a caliber of 1.3 cm, a revolver of the type invented in the mid 19th century by the Frenchman Lefaucheux."<ref>[http://archaeology.jp/sites/dejima/dejima1.html "Dejima Oranda Shōkan: Western style pistol and bullets, and related items"]</ref>


A Lefaucheux revolver thought to be the one with which the artist Vincent Van Gogh shot himself in the chest, resulting in his death two days later, was found proximate to the site of the self-shooting in a wheatfield near Paris more than 70 years later. <ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/van-gogh-gun-pistol-suicide-sold-auction-paris-revolver-a8965986.html]</ref>
A Lefaucheux revolver thought to be the one with which the artist [[Vincent van Gogh|Vincent Van Gogh]] shot himself in the chest, resulting in his death two days later, was found proximate to the site of the self-shooting in a wheatfield near Paris more than 70 years later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/van-gogh-gun-pistol-suicide-sold-auction-paris-revolver-a8965986.html|title=Pistol that van Gogh used to shoot himself sells for £115,000 at auction|website=[[The Independent]]|date=19 June 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==

*[http://hlebooks.com/pinterest/lefau54.jpg Lefaucheux M 1854 revolver (infographic tech. drawing)]
*[http://hlebooks.com/pinterest/lefau54.jpg Lefaucheux M 1854 revolver (infographic tech. drawing)]
*http://s144812367.onlinehome.fr (www.lefaucheux.net)
*http://s144812367.onlinehome.fr (www.lefaucheux.net)
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{{Commons category|Lefaucheux M1858}}
{{Commons category|Lefaucheux M1858}}


[[Category:Weapons of the Confederate States of America]]
[[Category:American Civil War weapons]]
[[Category:American Civil War weapons]]
[[Category:Casimir Lefaucheux]]
[[Category:Casimir Lefaucheux]]

Latest revision as of 22:47, 10 November 2024

Lefaucheux M1858
Lefaucheux-style revolver made in Liège, Belgium, circa 1860 – 1865. On display at Morges castle museum.
TypePinfire revolver
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1858–1873
Used byFrance
Belgium
Brazil
Confederate States
Italy
Spain
Sweden
Denmark
United States
Japan
China[1][page needed]
WarsFrench intervention in Mexico
Italian Wars of Unification[2]
American Civil War
Paraguayan War
Franco-Prussian War
Boshin War
Second Schleswig War
First Sino-Japanese War
Production history
DesignerCasimir and Eugene Lefaucheux
Designed1854
ManufacturerVarious
Unit cost$17 per one revolver and 50 rounds (1861)[3]
Produced1858–1865
Variantsnumerous
Specifications
Mass980 g (35 oz)
Length280 mm (11 in)
Barrel length155 mm (6.1 in)
Cartridge12 mm Lefaucheux
Calibre12 mm (0.47 in)
ActionSingle-action (military), double-action (civilian)
Muzzle velocity168 m/s (550 ft/s)
Feed system6-round cylinder
Sightsfixed front post and rear notch

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.[4] 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.[4]

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.[5][page needed] Models of the 1858 were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, and Norway. Most were produced either at the state arsenal Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), Liège, Belgium, or local producers under license.[6][page needed] 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.[7][page needed]

Design

[edit]
A Union soldier with a sabre and a Lefaucheux revolver.
View of the opened hinged gate, with a pinfire cartridge partially ejected.

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.

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. This number surpasses that of many American-manufactured arms and makes the LeFaucheux M1854 a significant U.S. martial arm of the period. Although not imported by the Confederacy, some Southern officers are known to have carried LeFaucheux M1858 Revolvers.[8]

Variants

[edit]
  • The Danish military fielded the Lefaucheux-Francotte M1865/97 in 11.45mm center fire.

Archaeology

[edit]

A western style pistol along with bullets and other related items were recovered in the Japanese artificial island of Dejima, a Dutch United East Indies Company settlement in Japan. They were found outside the wall of the Kapitan's (Captain's) quarters. The Kapitan is the Director of Dejima Factory.

"The pistol is 31 cm in overall length with a caliber of 1.3 cm, a revolver of the type invented in the mid 19th century by the Frenchman Lefaucheux."[9]

A Lefaucheux revolver thought to be the one with which the artist Vincent Van Gogh shot himself in the chest, resulting in his death two days later, was found proximate to the site of the self-shooting in a wheatfield near Paris more than 70 years later.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jowett, Phillip, Imperial Chinese Armies 1840–1911 (2016)
  2. ^ Esposito, Gabriele, "Armies of the Italian Wars of Unification 1848–70 (2)": Osprey Publishing (2018)
  3. ^ Purchase of arms, House Documents, 1861, p. 154.
  4. ^ a b Kinard, Jeff. Pistols: An illustrated history of their impact. ABC-CLIO, 2004. ISBN 1-85109-470-9,ISBN 978-1-85109-470-7. p. 110
  5. ^ Van Mastrigt, Guillaume La Production Des Modeles D'Eugene Lefaucheux . Crépin-Leblond, 2016. ISBN 2703004109, ISBN 978-2703004103
  6. ^ Van Mastrigt, 2016
  7. ^ Van Mastrigt, 2016
  8. ^ "LeFaucheux Double Action Pinfire Revolver". NRA Museums. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  9. ^ "Dejima Oranda Shōkan: Western style pistol and bullets, and related items"
  10. ^ "Pistol that van Gogh used to shoot himself sells for £115,000 at auction". The Independent. 19 June 2019.
[edit]
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