What is this and whats it worth?

[The Hermit]

This antique pistol was discovered at a client's house as they were cleaning it out ready for sale. It was owned legally by the current owner's grandfather (a bonafide collector) and has some RCMP files and paperwork with it. I guess the old boy had it tucked away in the garage and now both he and his son have passed. From the paperwork looks like a LEFAUCHEAUX 5MM with a 57mm barrel.
whats it worth? Link to my dropbox for pictures.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dkf81z2yaw2tevn/AABLTbEMnDylN4WP0gPXvdn5a?dl=0

I'll help the owner with the transfer if it is even legal now-a-days??

 

[naktabar72]

Museum might be interrested. Street value $$$ : Zero.

 

[trebor2880]

Street value may be zero, but try it on E.E. for twice that. But seriously, somebody will come along that knows more.

 

[kidvett]

Check with Antique dealers first, some might be interested...

 

[vagrantviking]

If it's really 5mm it's an odd one even for mid-19century pinfires. The paperwork on antiques isn't always 100% accurate. Thanks for posting.

It's not something I follow that close but it's probably worth around $500-700. Try posting in the antiques forum for more knowledgeable opinions.

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

100% legal to own and possess. You should be able to have that pistol deregistered as it's almost certainly an antique. You can do that buy calling the CFP and sending a firearms tech some pictures. There should be proof marks on the rear face of the cylinder and maybe the bottom of the barrel. Lefaucheux was a major producer of pinfire guns, paving the way for a lot of innovation in metallic cased cartridges in Europe. There are also an enormous number of Belgian gunsmiths in and around Liege who copied the Lefaucheux design and produced them in all sorts of pinfire calibres. Pricing would depend on how well it locks up, bore and cylinder condition and who made it. For a functional, slightly grubby revolver $300-$450 would be reasonable. They're easier to load for than the later rimfire revolvers but are still quite niche. I would suggest that $500-$700 would require something a bit special, a military connection, significant engraving, high condition or a renowned or rare manufacturer.

 

[The Hermit]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Brutus]

It's kind of amazing how long these pinfire revolvers were kept in service European police agencies.

Couple of years ago someone was selling on the EE, 9mm pinfire ammo in brown cardboard box with a Nazi swastika.

Vichy French perhaps?