Original British Victorian .38cal Double Action Percussion Revolver in Custom Case with Bullet Mold – Circa 1840 Original Items

Original item. Only One Available. This is a lovely British early Victorian era double action percussion revolver, which looks to be in about .38cal. It is in design actually very much like a double action “Pepperbox” revolver, however it has a single barrel at the front. It is of very high quality manufacture, with some lovely engraving on the action and also on the bar hammer on the top. There are no maker marks on the revolver, which leads us to believe that it was intended for the U.S. Market, where the retailer would add their own markings to the revolver once it was received. 

The revolver came to us in a lovely custom wooden case, which measures 11″ x 5″ x 2 1/4″, and is lined with red fabric, now worn and faded due to age and use. There are multiple compartments on the interior, which would have been for items such as spare powder, cleaning tools, and so forth. There is still a very nice .38 cal bullet mold in one of the inlets, which produces round bullets. The case is in very good condition, with functional hinges, and a lock at front, though we do not have the key.

The revolver itself is quite lovely, showing much of the original blued finish overall. It has a lovely elongated design, definitely a bit of a departure from British revolvers of the period. As mentioned before, it definitely looks to have been adapted from a double action pepperbox design. It measures 10 1/4 inches overall, with a 4 1/2 inch long barrel, and has lovely checkered grip scales.

The revolver bears CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” markings from the city of Birmingham, England on the bottom of the barrel. The cylinder is also marked by EVERY chamber with CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks, and the chambers are also numbered 1 to 6 between the proof marks.

The revolver functions well, with no mechanical issues to note, though if cycled very fast it can sometimes overshoot. The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is definitely evidence of past fouling and oxidation, now removed from the interior, and the grooves definitely have some fouling and oxidation still present.

A lovely mid 19th century British Percussion revolver, complete with a custom case and bullet mold. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: .38″
Ammunition Type: Cap & Ball
Overall Length: 10 1/4 inches
Barrel Length: 4 1/2 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.