Pioneering Design: The Early Lefaucheux Pinfire Cartridge

Description

This is an early example of the Lefaucheux pinfire cartridge, a significant innovation in firearm technology. Marked "BREVET LEFAUCHEUX FQUE GEVELOT," this cartridge was manufactured by Gevelot, who had acquired rights to Casimir Lefaucheux's patent improvements. This particular model is notable for its internal wire which holds the guide tube for the pin, a design element crucial for its operation. The wire is cut off externally at the case, where two holes are visible, a characteristic design to enhance reliability and functionality.

The rolled paper case of this cartridge lists prominent Parisian gunmakers and collaborators, such as Lefaure, Blanchard, and Prelat, showcasing the wide acceptance and commercialization of Lefaucheux’s design during the era. These manufacturers played a key role in the distribution and refinement of this innovative technology. The cartridge itself was a pivotal development in the evolution of firearms, transitioning from the cumbersome and less safe earlier designs to a more sophisticated and safer breech-loading mechanism. This particular cartridge exemplifies the early stages of this transformative period in firearm history, reflecting a significant leap in both design and practical application.