Henri-Gustave Delvigne

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Henri-Gustave Delvigne (1799-1876) was a French soldier and inventor, born in Hamburg. He became a captain in the French infantry service, from which he resigned on the outbreak of the revolution of July (1830). In 1826 he invented a rifle known by his name. In this rifle the chamber was smaller than the bore, with which it was connected by a spherical surface equal in radius to the ball used. The powder was poured from the muzzle into the chamber, upon which the ball rested when dropped into the bore. The ball was then made to take the rifling grooves by ramming. This invention marks an important step in the improvement of the rifle. [1] Delvigne also devised some life-saving apparatus, particularly life rockets. His publications include Exposé d'un nouveau système d'armement pour l'infanterie (1836).

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• This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.