Lepage Henri
Here is a rare model of a swivel-barrel pistol by Henri Lepage.
It was patented by Henri Lepage and Louis Perrin-Lepage on July 13, 1832.
He first extrapolated a musket presented to the French army in 1838, which refused it.
The barrel pivots to load a combustible paper cartridge, the back of which is cut off when closed; the powder is then directly put in contact with the fire of the primer.
It measures 32.5 cm; its caliber is 15.6 mm, with a short chamber. Smooth barrel.
The markings:
- Fni (provided) BY LEPAGE IN PARIS on the top of the barrel
- all the parts are numbered "1". Perhaps the first copy manufactured by its subcontractor, whose name I do not know. Note that I know of another very similar copy numbered "2".
It can be dated around 1840.
Gilles
