Original Exceptional French Gold Washed 11mm Revolver Model of 1855 by Louis Perrin for Paris Exposition

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a true showpiece! This is a fabulous exhibition grade French gold washed and embossed 11mm six shot presentation revolver, made by the famous gunsmith Louis Perrin of Paris. This magnificent piece is said to have been first shown at Napoleon III’s Parisian Universal Exposition of 1855.

It must have made quite a stir, as it is of massive size, almost 17″ in overall length, and fitted with a 9 3/4″ barrel with the muzzle of a cannon. The whole revolver is decorated to the extreme, covered with embossed and engraved designs on almost every surface. It is fitted with polished ebony grip with an ornate carved butt cap, which was no doubt once covered in gold. It is marked on top of the barrel:

L. Perrin. Bté. à Paris

It is also marked PARIS on the right side of the frame by the arbor pin, with PERRIN & CIE BTÉ. “Bté” is short for Breveté, the French word for “Patented”, indicating that it was a registered and protected design by Perrin. Originally known as Louis Perrin-Lepage, Perrin was one of the foremost high art gunsmiths of the era, with his best pieces housed in fabulous collections and prestigious museums.

This revolver is definitely a work of art, and was intended…