The lockplate is inscribed "Briquet Defencif/Du Gen Regnier" which translates from French as "Defensive Lighter of General Regnier." This is one a select number of different designs from Edme Regnier L'Aine (1751-1825) of France. He also designed trap/alarm guns, eprouvette, a combination lock, and a dynamometer. A trap pistol possibly by him is in Lot 3428. He served as an inspector under the Committee of Safety and as director of the Musee d'Artillerie. It is more common to find one of his lanterns attached to a pistol, but this one has a 6 1/2 inch blade extending out the front of the stock instead. The "breech" area is where the lantern attaches. The lock is fired using a conventional trigger mechanism.