Manufactured c. 1860s. It has bead and notch sights, no visible markings aside from "146" on the left at the breech and "25" on the back of the cylinder, a rotating recoil shield with built in loading gate and safety slot, smooth grips, and a lanyard ring and ejection tool threaded into the butt. A small number of these revolvers designed by Martial Pidault and Charles Cordier of Paris and patented on May 28, 1860, were purchased for the Union Army from international shipping and commission merchants George Raphael & Co. for $26.33 each, approximately twice the price of a Remington percussion. The company also sold the U.S. Lefaucheux revolvers and swords and dealt in a variety of goods including grain and other agricultural products. George Raphael (1820-1913) came to the U.S. in the 1845 from Ireland and became a leading international merchant. When he died in New Jersey, he was identified as the last charter member of the Commercial Exchange of Philadelphia formed in 1854 and was the only honorary member at the time of his death. He is often said to have been a friend of President Lincoln. Some of these revolvers are believed to have also been purchased privately by officers. Some have supposed that he was the "Frenchman" that designed the Rafael Repeater presented to the U.S. Military for trials by James R. Haskell, but this seems unlikely unless he was only acting as a merchant for the weapon.

Very fine with 80% plus of the original blue finish, subtle original case colors, and mild overall wear. The grips are fine and have numerous scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.