A six-shot double-action Belgian pinfire revolver in 10.3mm with a 5.5-inch barrel, retailed through Mazza in Napoli, whose name is cut into the solid barrel rib. The bore is excellent, shiny with strong rifling, and the chambers themselves are rifled and equally good. Frame and cylinder carry a deep-relief floral engraving, the grips are ebony carved with leaves and trailing vines, and the barrel shows a fine Damascus-style pattern in brown, though it is not true Damascus.

About 95 percent of the original blue survives, with the barrel an even brown. The supplier calls the engraving the work of a master and the gun itself a work of art, and this is the kind of piece a collector of high-grade European revolvers buys for the decoration and the retailer marking rather than for use. Ask for detailed photographs of the engraving if you are comparing it against other Belgian deluxe work.

Key features

• Six-shot double-action Belgian pinfire, 10.3mm
• 5.5-inch barrel, solid rib marked Mazza in Napoli
• Deep-relief floral engraving on frame and cylinder
• Ebony grips carved with leaves and vines
• 95 percent original blue, barrel even brown

It ships to the licensed FFL dealer you select at checkout, where the federal Form 4473 and background check are completed.