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
Mercenier Gérard
Here is
a .450 caliber revolver by Gérard Mercenier. This weapon is well-known; both its
origins and its mechanism have been analyzed in an article in *Gazette des
Armes* (by Guy Gadisseur, No. 385, pp. 40-42). A scan of this study is available
on the site, along with photos of another example of this model.
It is
one of the many design variations developed in the late 19th century to create
revolvers featuring a swing-out cylinder and a simultaneous (collective)
extractor.
On the site, the mechanism is described as follows by Paul T.:
"The revolver operates in single and double action and features a rebounding hammer.
To open the cylinder, you push the button on the frame located between the name 'Mercenier' and the cylinder—which then swings open to the right.
Using the button beneath the frame—which has now shifted slightly to the left—you grasp and pull it upward; this swings the cylinder out to the right.
You then push the same button forward, and the ring-shaped spring extractor ejects the cartridges.
It rotates very slightly to the left while
extracting the cartridges from the cylinder; consequently, when pressure on the
button is released, the empty casings no longer align with the cylinder
chambers, and as the ring extractor retracts under spring pressure, they are
cleared away by the cylinder's ribs."
It is a
fine weapon—clearly well-made and well-designed—featuring a curved grip, a
butt-cap lanyard ring, a guilloché-patterned hammer, and a nickel finish that is
in quite good condition for its age. G. Mercenier, a gunsmith from
Blégny-Trembleur near Liège, filed the patents protecting this system on June
30, 1881, and July 2, 1881.
Markings:
G.
Mercenier Bté.
Cal
.450.
59:
serial number.
ELG over
a star within an oval: proof house mark used from September 8, 1846, to July 11,
1893.
B (or R)
under a star: inspector’s mark used from January 27, 1877.
Based on
an analysis of the patents and markings, this G. Mercenier revolver in .450
caliber was therefore produced and proofed in Liège between 1881 and 1893.
Chris,
HPH,
