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1860 AND 1954 GUILLOTINES

THE 1860 GUILLOTINE

This model is derived from the classic 1792 guillotine frame but has a number of updated features, as could have been added during the 80 years preceding its replacement by the 1872 Berger model. All the design improvements added to this model have been used on some of the 19th century guillotines. Although this is not the replica of a specific guillotine, it is a guillotine that could hypothetically have existed in the 1860s. The metal tracks, steel covered lunette, and bascule rollers are borrowed from the 1862 Brugge guillotine. The self releasing hook, the blade release mechanism and the lunette locking system come from the Swiss Lucerne guillotine. The buffers are a combination of Berger-type springs mounted on external Lucerne-style mounts. This model is specially designed to perform well as a cigar cutter, with a high speed steel blade, a double support lunette and an oversized "head" hole for this specific purpose.

The model is constructed of Red Oak and painted Colonial Red as were many of the early guillotines. All wood-to-wood connections are made via mortises and tenons with removable steel spikes locking the joints together. Contrary to the early 1792 guillotines, the model can be fully disassembled as seen above. Nearly 300 parts, more than half of them hand-made, go into this one-of-a-kind model. The medley of close-up shots below illustrate the precision and intricacy of this very unusual machine.

THE 1954 REUNION GUILLOTINE

This newly added model is a 1792-style machine inspired by the guillotine from the island of Reunion (pictured above), which was used until 1954. Instead of the standard four wood braces on the 1792-model, this machine had a third pair of braces installed laterally to a stabilizing crossbeam, similar to the Berger design. Other special features on this model include a super-heavy mouton to give the machine more cutting power, an improved release mechanism, a bascule with straps, a steel-lined lunette, brass blade tracks, leather filled buffers to stop the blade and a cloth sack on a metal frame to catch the head (Similar to the ones on the Lucerne and Ghent guillotines).

The model is made of red oak, steel and brass with leather straps and a heavy canvass bag. The paint is Colonial Red with a customized "aged" look. The model can be easily disassembled like the real machine as can be seen on the picture above.