Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
KAUFMANN Michael.
This is an unspecified caliber central percussion revolver (possibly .455, see the number on the barrel), marked Michael Kaufmann Patent.
The markings
455: maybe the caliber?
R under
star: countermark of a controller, between 1877 and 1968
ELG on star in oval: accepted between 1846 and 1893
JD on the barrel: these initials are – also – those of Jean Duchateau, but it is certainly not about him, active in the fine weapons of hunting and shooting after the 1st WG. So unattributed so far...
S (?) G K: Could be Scholbert and Gadet, Kaufmann.
In fact, it is a revolver derived from the application
of patent 046368 filed by
Michael Kaufmann
in 1878, himself an improvement of an earlier patent filed by the well-known
Jean Warnant.
GP and many thanks to HPH for the research and suggestions and to Max for sending the patent.
KAUFMANN Michael.
Engineer.
Liège (1878-1887).
Wellington Street Strand Londres GB (01/1884).
Rue de la Joie, 2 Liège (10/1884).
Bruxelles (1889).
Deposit Belgium patent.
N° 046368 - 15/10/1878 Improvements brought to the system of revolver Jean Warnant, etc.
N° 051258 - 24/04/1880 Amendments made to platinums of gun-revolvers (main patent n° 046368 of the 15/10/1878).
N° 052206 - 04/08/1880 Amendments made to platinums of revolvers (main patent n° 046368 of the 15/10/1878).
N° 055511 - 20/08/1881 Amendments made to the revolvers (main patent n° 046368 of the 15/10/1878).
N° 064005 - 31/01/1884 System of revolver.
N° 066474 - 01/10/1884 Firearms.
N° 079640 - 22/11/1887 Closing of rifles, pistols and revolvers with rocker.
N° 086285 - 18/05/1889 Closing of rifles, pistols and revolvers with rocker (main patent n° 79640 of the 22/11/1887).