Developed in Paris and patented in the U.S. in 1862, Jarre's "breech-bar" system used a horizontal arrangement of pinfire chambers to supply repeating fire, which could be put to use on pistols, rifles, and even cannons. In operation, the bar is pre-loaded with pinfire cartridges, all secured in place with a spring-retained bar, and is then advanced from chamber to chamber left to right by a push arm connected to the double action trigger. On this example, the six chambers each have their own short barrel, but other examples use a single barrel. The right barrel is marked "A. JARRE/Bte S.G.D.G." The far left is marked "178." "31" is marked on the far right at the breech, and "JL" and another faint marking that includes "20" are marked on the front strap. An ejector rod is screwed into the top of the grip section.

Very good with mostly silver gray patina and some mottled brown patina. The grips are also fine and have minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine. A solid representative example of a scarce and interesting 19th century repeating firearm design.