Developed from patents originally registered in the 1860s, the Brun Latrige is a double action self-loading pistol, but is not truly semi-automatic in a conventional sense, using neither gas nor recoil to chamber and extract. The long folding trigger controls the barrel and a spring-loaded striker, and when pulled the barrel slides back towards the fixed magazine, where a cartridge is already resting against the breech face. When the trigger is released, a combination ejector and extractor holds the casing in place and then throws it out when the barrel is forward. Fitted with a brass bead sight, with "Brun-Latrige-St. Etienne" on the left side of the barrel shroud, "Modele 1900" on the right, and fine floral scroll engraving on the frame and butt. The trigger and sliding dust cover both double as safeties.