This unusual design was premiered at the Exposition Universelle of 1855 in Paris by Liege gunsmith Victor Colette. The cartridges were similar to those used in the Volcanic pistols and were stored above the barrel. When the hammer is cocked, the breech slides up and a bullet is fed into the breech by tipping the muzzle up using gravity to feed the ammunition. Pulling the hammer to full-cock drops the breechblock back in line with the barrel. The top of the open sided magazine has small bead and notch sights. The underside of the barrel has "VC960." The French gray frame has scroll and floral engraving and "JONGEN FRES" (right) and "A LIEGE" (left) markings along with "V. COLLETTE/BREVETE" ahead of the screw on the upper tang. The trigger guard is spurred. The grip has a fluted wrist with relief carved scroll accents. It comes in a nicely fitted case with a bullet mold, screwdriver, "VC960" marked loading tool, cleaning rod, and some primer disks.

Fine with 85% plus of the blue finish remaining on the barrel and hammer, 25% original blue on the magazine, smooth faded French gray finish and patina on the balance, crisp engraving, and minor age and storage related wear. The grip is also very fine and has crisp carving and fluting and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fine with minor storage wear and some contact wear from the pistol.