The Lefaucheux model 1859 carbine was a small carbine Eugène Lefaucheux made with hopes to gain military acceptance. It is a very simple design with few moving parts. It only weighs 4.5 pounds and has an overall length of 3 feet 4 inches.

There are multiple variations of this gun; some with a full metal frame, some with an automatic cartridge extractor, a percussion cap version, a double barrel version, pistols, and various bores.

This example is chambered for 12mm pinfire cartridges, has a manual extractor and a solid wood stock.





I have videos of how it works, the United States patent for it, more images and more on the blog post for it: Lefaucheux Model 1859 Carbine

It is interesting that such a simple and effective design was not taken up. Do you know if it was proposed, or if it was part of a trial against other designs?

AaronN, do you know the origin of the scroll/volute/curved trigger guard bow on French guns?

Very cool Aaron. Actually it looks like Comblain copied and refined that action...and of course Reilly had the patent rights to the Comblain action in UK; Thanks

Patent of 1859 with the original drawing .

https://lefaucheuxnet.wordpress.com/2021/10/14/brevet-043104-du-5-decembre-1859-et-additions/

two links to a carbine and pistol version

https://lefaucheuxnet.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/lf87-une-carabine-m1859/

https://lefaucheuxnet.wordpress.com/2021/03/05/lf50-un-pistolet-lefaucheux-m1859/

exist also in 7 mm version

https://lefaucheuxnet.wordpress.com/2021/04/01/un-m1859-en-7-mm/

guillaume