Devisme Model 1855
Devisme · Revolver · Discontinued · 1855
Also known as: Devisme a Paris Model 1855, Devisme Central-Hammer Revolver
Overview
The Devisme Model 1855 is a six-shot, single-action percussion revolver built by the celebrated Parisian gunmaker Devisme, based on a Belgian patent filed in November 1854. It fires a 10.8mm ogival ball from a 153mm rifled barrel cut with eight right-hand grooves, and uses a distinctive centrally-mounted (decentered) internal hammer that lowered the bore axis for improved pointing. Elegantly finished with vine-pattern engraving over a nickelled body and marked 'Devisme a Paris', the revolver had to be broken down into its handle, barrel, cylinder and rammer for loading, an impractical arrangement that was quickly rendered obsolete by the arrival of self-contained centre-fire cartridges.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1010 g (35.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 320 mm (12.60") |
| Barrel Length | 153 mm (6.02") |
| Action Type | Single Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Nickel |
Calibers
- .44 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .44 cal, 10.8mm ball, 10.8mm ogival ball
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Central Hammer, Six Shot Cylinder, Rifled Barrel, Vine Pattern Engraving, Nickel Plated Finish, Disassembles For Loading, Cap And Ball
Production
Production years: circa 1855-1858
Luxury-grade Parisian revolver built in small numbers; no series production figures survive.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Jean-Louis Francois Devisme
Discontinued: 1860
Notes
Datable to roughly 1855-1858. Barrel signed 'Devisme a Paris' with an FD-crowned oval mark and the patent notation 'Devisme Bte 1177'. A transitional design bridging the percussion cap and metallic-cartridge eras; some manufacture is believed to have been carried out in Belgium. Overall length 320mm, weight about 1010g.
Background
Louis-Francois (Jean-Louis Francois) Devisme (1806-1873) ran an acclaimed Paris workshop whose arms were prized by European royalty; his central-hammer 1855 revolver lowered the bore line for better handling but required the gun to be taken apart in four pieces to reload, and the innovation was overtaken within a year by cartridge revolvers.