Charles-Francois Galand 1868 M1868 9mm Revolver, MFD 1868-70 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,426.00
LSB#: LSB260303LF018
Make: Charles-Francois Galand, Paris
Model: 1868
Serial Number: 18370
Year of Manufacture: 1868-1870 / Antique
Caliber: 9mm Rimmed (also known as 9mm Galand)
Action Type: Single or Double Action Revolver with Plate-Extracting Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel assembly is marked “GALAND / PARIS”. The left side of the frame is marked “18370”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “380” with Belgian proofs.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch at the top rear of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered hard rubber. The grips have some scattered light nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore and infrequent minor pitting, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is intermittent oxidation, areas of finish loss that have introduced minor pitting, and light scattered handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to lightly disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics)
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup is solid on each chamber with minimal play. The double action trigger pull is smooth and the single action trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Charles-Francois Galand was well ahead of his times. His 1868 patent for this revolver covers a system which automatically extracts all cases from the cylinder upon opening, exposing the entire cylinder for re-loading, as well as being both single and double action, at a time when Smith & Wesson was still producing tip-up single-action revolvers and Colt was still five years out from finishing the Single Action Army. There is a release lever which forms the rear of the trigger guard allowing the forward portion of the trigger guard to be used as a lever to cam the barrel, cylinder and extractor plate forward, the plate separating from the rear of the cylinder as it is opened. Truly ahead of its time, it was passed over by the French for the Chamelot-Delvigne due to the cost of production. Galand did manage to secure a contract providing the revolvers for the Russian Navy in 1870. There is some confusion regarding the designation of the cartridge with 11mm, 11.5mm and 12mm all being encountered in various references. The cartridge is specific to the revolver’s design with a thick rim which sits in the extractor plate. While never becoming the commercial success that the quality of the design deserves, it is still a wonderful example of a revolutionary revolver design, a great addition to an early cartridge revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.