Casimir Lefaucheux’s Breech-Loading Firearm Patent, No. 5138, 1832

Description

This document represents a formal request and subsequent approval for a ten-year patent for an innovative breech-loading firearm designed by Casimir Lefaucheux, a Parisian gunsmith. Deposited on June 16, 1832 and accepted on January 28, 1833, and under the patent number 5138, the application includes detailed drawings and descriptions of a novel mechanism allowing the firearm to be loaded from the breech, significantly improving the loading speed and safety over muzzle-loaded firearms of the time.

The technical description outlines the intricate mechanism by which the barrel of the gun pivots – using a T-shaped piece and a corresponding C-shaped catch that allows the barrel to flip up for loading and securely lock back into place for firing. This pivotal design is captured in several figures within the patent drawings, illustrating both the external view of the firearm and the internal mechanics of the breech-loading system.

Lefaucheux’s design represents a key development in firearm technology, offering a more practical and efficient means of loading, which ultimately had a profound impact on the future of firearms. The invention was considered significant enough to warrant preliminary approval, pending the publication of the full patent specification in the government bulletin, as was standard procedure at the time.

The patent reflects the procedural steps and legal frameworks of 19th-century France regarding intellectual property, showcasing the intersection of innovation, industry, and regulation during a transformative period in technological advancement. Lefaucheux's work is not only a testament to his ingenuity but also to the supportive role of the French government in fostering industrial development through its patent laws.