Manufrance models “L’explorateur” (the Explorer)
Here is a file of another curiosity.
It is a revolver “L’explorateur” of the “Manufacture d'armes et cycles de Saint-Etienne” (Manufactory of weapons and cycle of Saint-Etienne), models rather rare, with twelve shots in 6mm velodog.
It is the little brother of “African”.
These two models were produced in a rather confidential way between 1900 and 1913, especially bound for the colonial customers.
Both are mechanically identical - except the size - and existed in a version with box frame and rod of ejection (according to the technology of the bulldog), and a version (much more expensive according to the catalogues time) with crack and collective extractor, copying the system of closing of Smith & Wesson contemporaries.
On two photographs of the file are joined together on the same table a “explorer” top break and “African” top break.
Friendly.
Jean-Michel.
