Breech-Loading Gun, Robert System 1832 - 1835

This breech-loading gun was made by Joseph Alexandre Robert, and is now held at the Rijksmuseum. It's constructed primarily from steel and wood. The steel, essential for the gun's firing mechanism, is precise and functional, reflecting the Industrial Revolution's impact. The wooden stock, shaped and polished, provides a tactile contrast to the cold steel, revealing a blend of utility and craft. The design is efficient: a smoothbore barrel with a calibre of 16.3 mm, designed for rapid firing. The Robert system breech-loading mechanism was innovative, allowing for faster reloading compared to muzzle-loading firearms. This technological advancement reveals a shift towards mass production and military efficiency. Ultimately, the gun's significance lies not only in its technological ingenuity, but also in its social context. As we consider this object, let's remember that even a weapon is deeply intertwined with the hands that made it, and the society that demanded it.