SN: NSN. Cal. 12mm. Just over 8" overall with 3" bbls, pictured and described on pgs 30-32 of Systeme Lefaucheux, Chris Curtis, 2002 "The pepperbox...is undoubtedly the type that was taken to England by Casimir Lefaucheux as part of his display at the 1851 London Exhibition. It is marked internally on the breechplate, "Lefaucheux Brevete Inv 37". Externally, the pistol's frame is acid-etched with the Lefaucheux name and business address, "rue de la Bourse 10 a Paris Ivion Lefaucheux Bte." The firm moved from the above early address to a new and larger location in Paris at 37 rue Vivienne, sometime between January and July of 1850. The catalogue for the 1851 London Exhibition notes the new address, and lists Caisimir Lefaucheux as an "inventor and manufacturer of rifles, fowling pieces and pistols on his new principle...Despite the praise heaped on his American competition, the London Exhibition of 1851 was a professional triumph for Casimir Lefaucheux. He was awarded a Medal of Honor for his display, No. 1308, which was the first step toward universal recognition and acceptance of the pinfire system throughout the world. Unfortunately, Casimir Lefaucheux did not live long enough to reap the full rewards of his inventive genius and pioneering work, which altered the evolutionary course of firearms development. He died in Paris on August 11, 1852 at the age of fifty, less than a year after the close of the London Exhibition. All Lefaucheux arms made during the era of Casimir's reign - single-shot pistols, pepperboxes, and shotguns - were of the highest Old World quality and craftsmanship. But they were not manufactured in sufficient numbers nor over a lengthy enough period to achieve commercial success during their inventor's lifetime. Few examples survive, and today any such Lefaucheux arms constitutes a prized addition to a collection of early cartridge firearms". Accompanying this pistol is a signed copy of Chris Curtis' "Systeme LeFaucheux" where this gun is pictured, illustrated and described. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-Chris Curtis Collection. CONDITION: Fine overall. Bbls are cleaned and overall grey/white. Frame and receiver retains some high polish to raised relief work with a stippled with a plum/grey background. Fluted ebony stocks are sound and solid with small cosmetic blemishes including 2 thin long chips at rear left. Mechanically, gun rotates indexes and drops hammer and appears functional. Bores show discernible lands and grooves with no twist. 50269-2 JS (5,000-7,000)