12mm Raphael???

[gunner]

Hi to all,

i´ve found in the trash box of my gunsmith a single funny round and it is called 12mm Raphael. Anything i could find was that it was made for a french revolver. Has anybody more information to it?

Thank you!

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Hi to all,

i´ve found in the trash box of my gunsmith a single funny round and it is called 12mm Raphael. Anything i could find was that it was made for a french revolver. Has anybody more information to it?

Thank you!

12x13 Raphael a.k.a. 12mm Pidault & Cordier. Designed around 1860 for the Raphael revolver. One of the very first center-fire cartridges. Heel-type bullet, about 0.445" diameter. Maybe you cannot see a primer in a pocket on the base. If so, do not jump to the conclusion that it is a rimfire cartridge! - In fact, it used an internal pin to detonate the primer, which was usually applied to the base of the bullet. In effect a sort of internal pinfire. I think the correct term is horizontal pinfire

George Raphael is supposed to have been a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and about 1000 of these revolvers were purchased by the federal government.

I think you have a great rarity there. US collectors of Civil War relics would be very keen to acquire it. Guard it well!


Patrick

[gunner]

Wow, that is great and i never thought that this is of much value. Have to look that i can get it tomorrow! Not a cheap ammo, found at internet that they´ve sold a pack where any single round costs $50 not bad! The revolver has somewhat from a Lefaucheux revolver.

Many thanks for your help Patrick!