Collectors and precision shooters alike admire firearms that combine historical significance with clever mechanical engineering. This mid-19th century French revolver represents a rare approach to percussion-era efficiency, offering collectors a functional museum piece that still rewards careful handling on the range.

FRENCH MILITARY DEVISME 1854 PERCUSSION REVOLVER .35 CAL

Design & Mechanical Innovation

This Revolver is a six-shot, percussion-frame design with a 6.5″ octagonal barrel. The top strap bears the silver inscription “Devisme a Paris,” a hallmark of the maker’s craft. What sets this piece apart is Devisme’s inventive firing system: each chamber in the removable percussion cylinder includes a “post” that supports the bullet and powder. When the barrel assembly is locked by the left-side lever, the bullet on the post forms a seal between the front of the cylinder and the barrel breech—improving gas sealing and delivering a more efficient, powerful charge than many contemporary percussion designs.

Percussion Cylinder & Sealing System

The post-and-lock arrangement is rare and practical for its era. By forming a secure seal at the cylinder-barrel junction, the system reduces gas blow-by, which can improve consistency and effective velocity with each black-powder load. For shooters interested in period-correct ballistics and collectors valuing mechanical novelty, this is a standout feature.

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Shooting Characteristics & Caliber Notes

Chambered in .35 cal, this revolver balances manageable recoil with competent terminal performance for period ammunition types. The .35 caliber in mid-1800s service offered respectable energy for self-defense or close-range duty while allowing for compact bullets that seat reliably on the Devisme posts. The 6.5″ octagonal barrel enhances sight radius and contributes to crisp, predictable point of impact.

Collector Value & Purchase Information

As a French Military Revolver with a distinctive Devisme mechanism and clear maker marking, this piece holds strong appeal to collectors of percussion-era arms. Listed at $4,750.99, it falls within the collectible price range for rare, mechanically significant revolvers in good condition (AH6753). Category: Revolver. Check provenance and condition photos on the product page before purchase.

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For collectors and historians seeking an example of 19th-century ingenuity, this Devisme revolver is an instructive and rare find. Shop this product

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