Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #85
  • Lot #288
Lot #287
Lot #289

Lot 288: Devisme Large Frame Centerfire Cartridge Revolver

Scarce Devisme Large Frame Centerfire Cartridge Revolver

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 13, 2022

Lot 288: Devisme Large Frame Centerfire Cartridge Revolver

Scarce Devisme Large Frame Centerfire Cartridge Revolver

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 13, 2022

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $7,000
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Scarce Devisme Large Frame Centerfire Cartridge Revolver

Manufacturer: Devisme FP
Model: Revolver
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 11 mm
Barrel: 5 3/4 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 1346
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 212
Class: Antique
Bore Condition: Good - Some light pitting or frosted appearance
Description:

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.

Rating Definition:

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.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #85: Rare .36 Caliber Cartridge Conversion Starr Model 1858 Revolver

    Lot #510: Merwin Hulbert & Co. Large Frame Open Top Single Action Revolver

    Lot #1063: Frank Wesson Brass Frame Two Trigger Rifle

    Lot #1105: Cartridge Conversion Starr Model 1858 Army Revolver

    Lot #1104: U.S. Starr Arms Co. Model 1863 Army Conversion Revolver

    Lot #1125: Colt Model 1862 Police Cartridge Conversion Revolver