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
ROCOUR
A very fine Lefaucheux revolver, presented in a
French-style case, equipped with the classic accessories of this type of set:
oiler, screwdriver, ammunition, and cleaning rod. The weapon has retained much
of its bronze finish and is decorated with beautiful scrollwork engravings. With
its rounded arched grip, checkered grips, probably made of walnut, and cap ring,
it is a luxury example. It is chambered in the large 15mm caliber. Lefaucheux
revolvers appeared in the mid-1850s.
According to the owner:
"It was sold by
Johan Springer of Vienna (Austria), between 1857 and 1875. The insignia on the
case is that of Esterhazy. The "goldenes Vlies" ("Order of the Golden Fleece")
confirms that the owner was of the highest rank at the time—and the only person
who would correspond to this rank would therefore be Prince Nikolaus III."
Esterházy de Galantha (1817-1894), who received the Goldenes Vlies in 1862".
See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolaus_III,_Prince_Esterh%C3%A1zy
The lid of the box features a coat of arms that perfectly
matches that of the Esterházy family: azure, a crowned griffin of gold,
supported by a crown of the same, holding a gold sword in its right paw, and a
rose branch of vert, flowered with three gules, in its left.
The dealer's label shows the crowned double-headed
imperial eagle, bearing the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with a
collar of the Golden Fleece, bearing a sword and the imperial orb, which can be
found, among other things, on the obverse of Austrian coins of this period.
The claimant's hypothesis therefore seems entirely
credible.
A Viennese firm, Johan Springer Erben, was founded in
1836 and is still in business (distributing luxury weapons as well as hunting
accessories and clothing). See:
https://www.springer-vienna.com/
Indeed, a frequent customer of high-ranking clients, we
note in particular the supply in 1871 of a Mauser rifle to Kaiser Wilhelm I
(1797-1888), King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany! See:
https://www.germanhuntingguns.com/archives/springer-johann-erben/
Gun markings:
133030: Serial number.
ELG over a star in an oval: Proof house mark from
September 8, 1846, to July 11, 1893.
E. Lefaucheux brevet, left side of the barrel.
Joh. Springer in Wien, barrel rib: Name and location of
the dealer Johan Springer (Vienna, Austria), identical to those on the case.
Rocour, cylinder: This is obviously the Liège-based
manufacturer Rocour.
However, this surname is shared by several craftsmen.
Based on previous research on the site (GG), it is likely that this was Rocour
B, 13 rue Ste Foi in Liège, registered in the BE from 1864 to 1869, who, along
with Foret Ch., filed a patent for a Lefaucheux revolver.
In conclusion, this superb luxury Lefaucheux revolver was produced by B.
Rocour in Liège for resale in Vienna (Austria) by Johan Springer. It is highly
likely that it was intended for Prince Nikolaus III. Esterházy de Galantha
(1817-1894), awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1862. The weapon was
likely produced between 1864 and 1893.
Notes:
For a list of Austrian Knights of the Golden Fleece, see:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_chevaliers_de_l%27ordre_autrichien_de_la_Toison_d%27or
Founded in Bruges on January 10, 1430, the Order of the
Golden Fleece quickly became famous thanks to the personality of its founder,
Duke Philip the Good. The European character of its members, the limited number
of those elected, and especially the symbol of the Golden Fleece contributed to
its reputation. The innovative choice of a reference to Antiquity rather than to
Arthurian legend heralded the Renaissance.
Source :
Chris, HPH
Rocour
This open framework and pin revolver is well a civil version of the LEFAUCHEUX of navy model 1858.
It seems rather little to differ from the original except the trigger guard which here is with volute, which was not the case on the military version.
This last carried 4 stripes to the steps of 1,50 meter while yours has 5 stripes of them!
Its caliber seems to be of 12 mm. His cylinder is not grooved, the barrel with sides with the thunder becomes round to the mouth.
The stick is in drowning (does seem to me?) and ends in a metal cap with ring.
A metal rod with head of nail is fixed under the barrel.
Its civil origin is corroborated by the presence of the punches of the proof house of Liege, namely:
Spangled ELG in an oval: acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.
M crowned: countermark of the controller, of use of 1853 to 1877.
Also corroborated by the mark of the manufacturer of Liège ROCOUR.
Where that becomes complicated, it is the fact of the existence at the same time of several named manufacturers ROCOUR, namely:
ROCOUR B Street Ste Foi, 13 in Liege, registered with the house of test of Liège of 1864 to 1869. He deposited with FORET Ch. a patent for a thunder of Lefaucheux revolver.
ROCOUR DELSA B & Co, registered with the house of test of Liège of 1872 to 1875 which also deposited a patent for improvements brought to the pistols revolvers with central fire and pin.
ROCOUR G. of Liege which deposited in 1863, a patent for a system of dagger adapting to the Lefaucheux revolvers and others.
Mark ROCOUR not being more explicit, difficult to decide between them. The first seems to me most credible but without certitude. The second would have signed, in my opinion, of the name of its company and the third worked the knives rather.
Mark E.LEFAUCHEUX PATENTS indicates that the weapon was manufactured under license of this prestigious French inventor. Let us announce that the interested party, son of Casimir, carried out his training in Liege and created the "Manufacture d’Armes de Chasse et de Guerre", quai de Fragnée, 13 in Liège. He was registered with the house of test of 1866 to 1869.
GG
ROCOUR
Beautiful part of arms manufacture! It acts of a pin revolver of Lefaucheux type in 12 mm seems it. The grips are out of ivory and the stick ends in a metal cap and a ring.
The punch.
I saw on the photographs only the punch of acceptance (spangled ELG in an oval) of the bench of tests of Liege, of use of 1846 to 1893, which locates us a little the age of the weapon.
Marking.
Marking ROCOUR being reproduced on the barrel is a little runs to be affirmative to 100% bus the arms manufacturers carrying this patronym are several, at the same time and manufacturing the same type of weapons to knowing:
ROCOUR B street Ste Faith, 13 in Liege (BE 1864/1869), it deposits with Foret Ch. a patent for a thunder of Lefaucheux revolver, system of weapons with central fire by the breech.
ROCOUR DELSA B & Co (BE 1872/1875) deposit a patent for improvements brought to the pistols-revolvers with central fire and pin.
ROCOUR G of Liege deposits in 1863, a patent for a system of dagger adapting to the Lefaucheux revolvers and others.
GG
Many thanks to Bert V. (La haye) for the nice pictures.
