A 12mm Pinfire Revolver 1854 Model Lefaucheux by Orbea Hermanos En Eibar.
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12 ½” overall, 6 ¼” heavy round sighted barrel signed in gold ‘Fa-de-Orbea Hermanos en Eibar’, hexagonal at the breach and inlaid with spirals in gold and with the serial number 11306.
Single action, 6 shot well engraved cylinder with sprays and spiral patterns, trigger guard with finger rest. Faceted butt cap with lanyard ring. Two piece highly figured walnut grip.
Serial number 11306. Circa 1862
High quality Spanish revolver in very good condition
In 1858, Queen Isabella determined that all officers in Spain’s National Guard would - like the French navy - have their Beaumont Adams percussion revolvers replaced by the 12 mm revolver Model 1854 Lefaucheux pinfire revolver. As was usual, they had the revolvers manufactured under licence by their own manufacturers and nominated Trubia and Orbea Hermanos in Eibar as the main ones. The Orbea family had been making quality weapons since 1536 and a new company - Orbea Hermanos En Eibar – was founded by four Orbea brothers in 1860. Their model 1854 revolvers were of a higher quality and quantity to the other makers. In 1862 the 1854 was declared as regulation of all officers who had to purchase their side arms
Although these revolvers were meant to be replaced by the Lefaucheux model 1863, another pinfire, they took so long in production, the 1854 models were used through the 1860/70s to around 1884 when replaced by the Orbea manufactured Smith and Wesson. .44 Russian.
Spanish Wars : 1864/66 Chinga Islands – Peru, Chile v Spain; 1868 Glorious Revolution – Spain Liberals v Moderates; 1868/78 10 Year War Spain v Cuba; 1872/74 3rd Carlist War – Kings of Spain Savoy, Bourbon, 1st Republic v Carlistas; 1873/74 Cantonal Revolution – 1st Spanish Republic v Spanish Cantons