The Guycot was invented in the late 1870s by Henri Guenot and Paulin Gay of France and was manufactured in very limited numbers and less than 15 are estimated to survive. Across the extant pistols and carbines, there are multiple variations. Despite being an innovative design, their underpowered "rocket ball" type cartridges did not have enough stopping power to be practical. The only visible markings are the serial number and an "A" on the butt and an "A" above the switch on the left. "13" is marked inside the grips. It has a bead front sight and notch rear sight.