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
Charles-François GALAND
Here is a superb revolver with a folding butt designed
to turn it into a small hunting rifle. It has an octagonal barrel and a cap
ring. Loading and unloading by simultaneous extraction is carried out by means
of a lever comprising the pontoon whose tilting forwards causes the
barrel-barrel block to be unblocked and to advance longitudinally. The
articulated stick can be removed to return the weapon to the condition of a
conventional revolver. This is a
GALAND Sportsman
revolver in calibre .450 with centre percussion, 6-shot barrel, nickel-plated
finish.
This model is known as an invention of the French
gunmaker Charles-François GALAND
(1832-1900), who settled in Liège, rue Vivegnis, 288 and/or 296, and then rue de
la Loi, 7. He was also active in Paris, Rue d’Hauteville, 13. He was registered
on the Liège proofhouse from 1869 to 1942 (although he died he remained
registered until 1920, his son René continued his activities until 1942). He is
the owner of many patents filed in Belgium (25 in his name and 6 in the name of
his son René), France and England, the most famous of which is No. 23657 filed
on 04/06/1868 with
Alfred SOMMERVILLE,
the originator of the weapon presented. The patent n° 26286 of 13/09/1869
concerns the movable shoulder stick applicable to firearms.
Other known examples of this weapon are signed by the Manufacture Liégeoise d’Armes à Feu
Markings:
C.F.G.
under crown,
brand of the Charles-François GALAND
factory in Liège, right side of the gun.
Serial
number 7015, right side of the gun.
Oval ELG
on star (barrel) corresponding to the proof mark of Liège in force from 8
September 1846 to 11 July 1893.
Letter T
under the crown, typical of a control stamp in force until 1877.
The
weapon was produced between 1869 (date of patent) and 1877.
Thanks to
very good photos in high resolution (hence their usefulness), we can distinguish
on the barrel the marking of the owner “E. du COR de DUPRAT” and to PHL, a
genealogy enthusiast, we know more:
Elie du COR de DUPRAT (Marie Victor Gabriel Elie du COR de DUPRAT)
Born July
15, 1845 – Estang, 32127, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, France
Died on
March 2, 1920 – Estang, 32127, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, France at the age of 74
Landowner.
Chris, HPH, PHL, AD
Charles-François GALAND
Revolver Charles François GALAND "small" model.
Calibre 9mm
Charles-François GALAND
The trademark "CFG
surmounted by an unknown logo" is that of
Charles
François Galand.
This
system, known as the "automatic peripheral extractor", belongs to him and works
in this way: the under-guard lever pulls down the barrel-cylinder group, which
slides along the extension of the axis, thus creating a space necessary for the
simultaneous ejection of the bushings thanks to the washer that moves backwards.
Charles
François Galand
(1832/1900) is of French origin, but he was established in 296 rue Vivegnis
Liège, where he had a manufacturing workshop, probably because of the skilled
and very economical workforce of the Liège gunsmiths.
That is
why most of its manufacture bears the hallmarks of Liège.
Charles-François Galand
Charles-François Galand is a French citizen (1832-1900) working in Liege, Rue Vivegnis, 296, then rue de la Loi, 7.
Also active to Paris Street D' Hauteville, 13. Registered with the Bench of Test of Liege of 1869 to 1942 (in fact, although deceased in 1900, it remains registers until 1920).
His son Rene will continue the activities until 1942.
Prolific manufacturer of revolvers, civil and military, unhappy competitor of 1873 Chamelot-Delvigne.
Especially known for its Galand revolver, also called Galand-Sommerville or Galand-Perrin, of the name of the cartridge with large pad used in a number of its revolvers.
Also inventive out of famous Velodog (deposited on April 20, 1904 per Rene Galand), out of the Novo revolver and the revolver Tue-Tue.
