A six-shot Belgian transitional percussion revolver, proofed in Belgium, with a 6.5-inch barrel and a 12-inch overall length in .38 or 9mm. The cylinder carries partition nipples, loading is by a rammer with a right-side lever and geared rod, and a Colt-type wedge through the arbor secures the barrel assembly. The bore is smooth with some pitting. Shell and cross-hatch engraving fills the cameos, the front grip strap reads J. Bergman Brevete, and the grips are excellent with 98 percent of their varnish.

The action works perfectly, there is no rust, and the supplier rates the gun near excellent overall. Transitional revolvers of this English and European pattern are illustrated and described in The Handgun by Geoffrey Boothroyd, which is the reference to open if you want to place this one. It belongs with a collector of early percussion arms who values mechanical condition and an identifiable maker's marking.

Key features

• Six-shot percussion revolver, Belgian proofed
• 6.5-inch smooth bore, 12 inches overall, .38 or 9mm
• Right-side loading lever with geared rod
• Engraved cameos; grip strap marked J. Bergman Brevete
• Grips excellent, 98 percent varnish; near excellent overall

The revolver ships to the FFL dealer you select at checkout; Form 4473 and the federal background check are completed there.