Beringer Beatus
Its
original patent seems to be from 1832.
Sold by
Ferdinand Claudin around 1840.
Its
principle is as follows:
A
pivoting chamber is opened by turning the lever located under the weapon. On the
left side, a copper capsule filled with fulminate is inserted, which is held in
place by a light bezel. This capsule serves as both a primer and a propellant
charge.
On the
right side, a round bullet is inserted.
The
percussion, central, is carried out by an internal striker linked to the
external hammer.
The
capsule, once fired, is extracted by a rod screwed into the cap.
The
barrel is rifled, with a caliber of approximately 6.2 mm.
Its total
length is 35 cm.
Note that
the principle of this propellant capsule will be taken up in 1859 by Flobert for
his famous cartridges, but in annular percussion.
Gilles
Beringer
NICE FRENCH 19th CENTURY PINFIRE SHOTGUN by BERINGER in PARIS:
12 gauge. 46 inch overall length. Fine 29 5/8 inch damascus barrels. Barrel marked Beringer A Paris. No cleaning rod.
Photographs friendly authorized by Antiquefirearms.com with my grateful thanks.
