Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
Gerard Théophile
This is a
beautiful 11mm revolver, with its original case including a screwdriver, a
cleaning rod, and an oiler, confirming the high-end production of this weapon.
Indeed, the engravings (floral motifs) on the frame and cylinder, the cap ring,
and the dovetail-mounted driftable front sight all point to quality
manufacturing.
This revolver
opens by snapping downwards and features a star-shaped collective extractor.
Markings:
ELG in oval over
star (rear of cylinder): proof house mark from September 8, 1846, to July 11,
1893.
Number 4 on the
left side of the frame: probably serial number.
Cast steel, left
side.
Letters N and S
surmounted by a crown: control mark from December 30, 1853, to January 26, 1877.
TH GERARD, Bté in
Liège, signature of the manufacturer and inventor of the weapon.
Théophile Gérard
was a Liège gunsmith registered with the proof house from 1870 to 1873. A
revolver from the same series, as well as reproductions of the original patent
(No. 029767 of December 15, 1871, amended a few months later by patent 030232 of
March 16, 1872) are visible on the website.
In conclusion, this beautiful 11 mm
caliber revolver is from the production of the Liège gunsmith Théophile Gérard.
Analysis of the markings and patent dates allow us to place its manufacture at
the very beginning of the 1870s. It should be noted that the collective
extraction system devised by Gérard was particularly early and innovative for
the time.
Chris, HPH
