French Martial Revolver? What the heck is this?

[Mossyrock]

It is listed on an auction site as a large bore, turn of the century "French Revolver", probably around .44 caliber.  I am guessing 11mm.  Well, it isn't an 1873 Martial Revolver.  Any ideas?

[Pony Racer]

MR that is a Belgian copy of the Mle 1873.

Many variations were made of this pistol for officers to buy and some for civilians too.

It is 11mm french

The guns are built like tanks in good condition they are fun guns to shoot.

Here is a link for more info

http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/1873load.htm

PR

[Mossyrock]

EUREKA!!!!

Thanks to Jim Watson over at The High Road, I now know that it is a Belgian revolver in 11mm 1873 caliber known as a "Fagnus".  Yup, it's a funny name, but it isn't French!!  There seems to be quite a few of them available for sale in Europe (at least on the internet), but most of them appear to have been nickel finished.

[Pony Racer]

Actually they were just made in the white - the inside of my 1887 copy looks so unused it could pass for nickel finish!!

That is according to my french friend from HLE publishing- Gerard.

Most of the ones made available to civilians were actually blued - not sure why that is - but hey they are french!!

PR

[Springfield Slim]

I have read the the issued guns for non officers were in the white but the offficers bought their own and bought them blued. The one my wife has is in the white.