Louis-François Devisme (active around 1833-1886) is well-known for creating a variety of innovative and often unusual firearms. These revolvers were among the earliest centerfire revolvers and are very robust. Known Devisme clientele include high level Confederate generals and politicians including Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, French Emperor Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, King Luis I of Portugal, and other European nobility, and high end Devisme arms are part of some of the finest private and public collections in the world including in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the collection of King Farouk of Egypt. Davis owned a .74 caliber Devisme stalking rifle and had it with him when he was captured. Robert E. Lee wore a Devisme sword at Appomattox that had been sent to him by a Confederate sympathizer from a Maryland native living in Paris in 1863. These early cartridge revolvers were manufactured in the 1860s and 1870s. It has a dovetailed round blade front sight, "Devisme a Paris" in script on top of the barrel, an iron cross on either side of the frame at the breech suggesting Prussian ownership, "DEVISME BTE" on the lower right side of the frame, "No. 179" on the lower left, notch rear sight on the top of the recoil shield, checkered walnut grips, and a lanyard ring on the butt. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Fine as period retailer refinished with half of the bright fire blue finish remaining concentrated on the cylinder, breech band, and protected areas. The balance has some thinner silver plated appearing finish mixed with gray and brown patina and some light pitting. The grips are very good with mostly crisp checkering, some light dings and scratches, and mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very attractive example of a seldom scene model by one of France's finest gunmakers.