Rifle
Henri Jaquet (fl.1820 – 1880)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1851
Materials
Iron, Wood
Measurements
1770 mm (Length)840 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Switzerland
Order this imageCollection
Sizergh Castle, Cumbria
NT 997797
Summary
Military percussion rifle (Model1851), by Henri Jaquet of Geneve, Switzerland (active 1820 – 1880), complete with bayonet.
Full description
Military percussion rifle (Model1851), by Henri Jaquet of Geneve, Switzerland (active 1820 – 1880). Produced for the Swiss Federal army, this rile was radically different in design to all other European military rifles of the time and was acknowledged as the most accurate rifle of the day. However, the small calibre caused considerable fouling problems and there were added complications from the use of a long thin paper cartridge. Rifled iron barrel formed in 2 stages, octagonal to round. Blade foresight and adjustable and calibrated rear sight marked in graduations 2 to 10 (paces). Platinum safety vent at breech. Retained to the stock by 2 barrel slides. The muzzle fitted with a bayonet mount. The extended barrel tang with mounting holes for an alternative sight. Length 84.2cm. Calibre 10.5mm with 9 groove rifling. The metal rusted and covered with black paint. Walnut full-stock. Iron furniture comprising; deeply curved buttplate with ball-shaped finials, trigger guard and double-set triggers with adjusting screw, nosecap, and ramrod pipe which encases the whole ramrod. Underside of butt with a sling loop. The metal rusted and covered with black paint. Percussion lock, the flat plate signed in Gothic script, Hn. JAQUET, GENEVE. Retained to the stock by 1 sidenail. The metal rusted and covered with black paint. Overall length: 126.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
Lockplate: Jaquet, Geneve
Makers and roles
Henri Jaquet (fl.1820 – 1880), gunsmith
References
Heer, 1978: Eugene Heer, Der Neue Stockel: 3 Volumes Bailey, 1972: DeWitt Bailey, Percussion Guns & Rifles