A rare and interesting centerfire revolver by... Lot 15

A rare and interesting centerfire revolver by J. Lacroix dating: 1873 - 1877 provenance: Belgium, Heptagonal, rifled barrel, provided with foresight (bore with a few stains and pitting, especially at the nozzle, visible rifling), 11 mm cal. at the nozzle. Six-shot cylinder. Working mechanism in both single and double action. Solid steel frame with some minor pitting. Interesting opening system with the cylinder swivelling on the right side, it unlocks with a large handle located in the front of the frame. Mark of the Liege test bench. Marking 'J. LACROIX B.TE', matr. '2xx'. Remains of earlier browning. Smooth ebony grip scales (one with small missing part). Ring for the strap. Interesting revolver anticipating the first Colt 'swingout cylinder' model, i.e. the 1889 Navy. Jacques Lacroix presented three patents in Liegi between 1873 and 1877. length 27 cm.