Original Victorian Belgian Double Action .41cal Revolver Serial 34 with Ornate Composition Grips - Circa 1890

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a most interesting 6 shot Belgian revolver made circa 1890, very much in the British Style, but not really conforming to any one of the several double action designs in use at the time. We measured the bore, and it comes out to about 0.41cal, while the front of the cylinder chambers are about .43, which unfortunately is not for any chambering we recognize. There were many different early centerfire black powder chamberings in use throughout Europe, and it is often not easy to identify the correct one, especially when there is no marking on the revolver.

There is no maker marking on this revolver, just traces of a marking on the top of the frame, which look to read "RIA". The left side of the frame is marked with 34, which could be a serial number, and is also marked on the base for the ejector rod, the arbor pin, and on the front of the cylinder. There are also ★ / M proofs on the right side of the frame by the barrel and on the rear of the cylinder, which are typical inspection proofs from Liège, Belgium. The right side of the frame also bears a CROWN / R proof under the inspection proof, and the rear of the cylinder has 29 and E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891. This proof had been introduced for exported arms to comply with new proof laws in Germany.

Liège had become a gun-making powerhouse after the Napoleonic wars, and manufactured guns under contract to many firms in the United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere. This meant that they had ample access to the various designs from those countries, with the end result being revolvers such as this, which were very popular with officers in the British Military, who were required to purchase their own arms.

The revolver presents very nicely, with an aged brown patina on the metalwork, and it has fantastic molded "gutta percha" composition grips, which might also be hard rubber. They show cherubs, dragons, and other lovely designs, definitely indicating a high level of manufacture for this revolver. It functions well in double action ONLY, and does not seem to have a provision for single action. The indexing is accurate, the cylinder lockup is tight, and it has a crisp dry fire. The bore shows clear four groove rifling, though it is worn, and there is evidence of past fouling and oxidation, now removed. This definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use during its life.

The revolver has a functional ejector rod, and the cylinder arbor pin pulls out with some effort to allow the cylinder to be removed. It is however missing the loading gate on the right side of the frame, and there are also some screws with damaged heads or heads that are missing completely. The lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip is also missing, with just the base remaining.

This very interesting revolver would have been appropriate for many of the late 19th Century Wars in the British Empire, or possibly for use on the American Frontier. Soon after this revolver was made, smokeless powder was introduced, which revolutionized firearms design, making revolvers like this a thing of the past. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1890
Caliber: .41cal
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 10 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 5 1/8 inches
Action: External Hammer Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver