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
Thonon Michel Fils
Here a
curious revolver of calibre not specified, with interior hammer (also called
uneven) and folding trigger, whose handle can slide in order to reduce the
obstruction of the revolver. Blocking/releasing of the handle is probably done
via the button located on the right of framework. Door of side loading on the
right. Stem swivelling in line with cylinder.
Markings
Lion on
PV: test with the smoke-free powder between 1898 and 1968
There
should be other punches between the rooms of cylinder (in particular a ELG on
star in crowned oval).
C
crowned: it would be normally a punch of controller, but it is hardly possible
since this kind of punch with crown was used between 1853 and 1877. However, the
weapon is after 1898. Thus not identified until now.
Thanks to the searchs of Max, one can allot this
system of handle sliding to
Michel Thonon son,
arms manufacturer with Corinhez-Housse, which deposited in 1909 four patents,
including 220480 (on November 16th, 1909) which corresponds in the broad
outlines to the weapon presented. The latter has however an improvement in the
shape of a button on the right side of the framework for - probably since we
were not pleased to have the machine in hand - blocking and freeing the handle.
In the original version of the patent of
Michel Thonon,
there is a system of spring(s) which blocks the handle in position high or low,
but not the aforementioned button.
GP with MAX and Alan.
