Colard (Belgium) Double-Action Pinfire Revolver

Pinfire revolvers, also known as Lefaucheux after the name of their inventor, were popular in Europe during the second half of the 19th century.  Many of these guns also saw use in the American Civil War and on the western frontier.  This ornate example, manufactured by the Belgian firm of Ch. T. Colard, features a blued steel barrel, case-hardened frame, gold and platinum inlays, and hand-carved ebony grips.

The previous owner of this revolver, Calvin Goddard, was a widely respected forensic scientist.  This Colard revolver was part of his reference collection of firearms.