Giuseppe Fieschi’s infernal machine at the French History Museum, Paris.
He spent his childhood and adolescence as a shepherd.
Shortly after, Giuseppe joined his disgruntled neighbor Pierre Morey, and the two conspired to assassinate King Louis-Philippe.
But first they needed a gun.
They took the plan to another conspirator, Theodore Pepin, who the gave the plan legs.
Eventually, Giuseppe had the gun ready.
The barrels were mounted side by side with each touch hole in line with the next.
Each barrel contained about 6 to 8 balls and an additional 13 to 14 slugs.
It was a powerful killing machine indeed.
The annual review, which commemorated the 1830 July revolution, took place on 28 July 1835.
A terrible explosion ripped through the air showering the passing company with a volley of projectiles.
Men and horses dropped immediately and the street was filled with the dead and dying.
One witness reported that there was suddenly a void around the king.
Napoleonic war hero Marshal Mortier and his horse lay in a bloody heap on the pavement.
Lieutenant-Colonel Rieussec of the 8th Legion was killed instantly.
Colonel Raffet, commandant of the Gendarmerie, also fell to the ground.
He died several hours later.
Assassination attempt by Giuseppe Fieschi on King Louis Philippe I of France on July 28, 1835.
Unfortunately, the weapon was too powerful and too crudely made.
When Giuseppe lighted the fuse, the gun literally exploded sending bullets all around the room.
Giuseppe was thrown back towards the wall, sustaining bullet injuries to his head, face, and hand.
But Giuseppe was badly injured and bleeding.
The guards soon caught up to him by following the trail of blood he left.
Fieschi’s trial became a great spectacle and he enjoyed his stardom.
Giuseppe was found guilty and sentenced to death along with Pierre Morey and Theodore Pepin.
On 19 February 1836, the three were taken to the guillotine and their heads chopped off.
Pepin was the first to go, followed by Morey.
I have spoken the truth.
I have rendered a service to my country in signaling my accomplices.
I regret my victims more than my life.
The head of Fieschi after his execution.
