How to build a 1792 guillotine model
A part of the drawings in real size
To build a model of the French Revolution guillotine, you must be able to work in both wood and metal. You'll need basic tools, and last but not least, the right measurements.
Here you can buy the construction drawings with all measurements for a guillotine model (scale 1:5), similar to the type used during the French Revolution.
(No building materials included.)
Buy the 1792 Guillotine construction drawings
Price: $39
Pay with PayPal or credit cards.
Do not close your browser before downloading. After your payment is registered at PayPal, you will be taken to the download site, where you can download the pdf file containing the drawings.
Please note that the pdf file is an electronic original document, and that it is therefore not possible to refund the payment after the download.
However, should anything go wrong, do not hesitate to contact the Guillotine Headquarters.
For many years I have collected data for these drawings. They are partly based on measurements taken from real old guillotines. One from 1830 (Bruges, Belgium), and one from approximately 1795 (Venlo, Niederlands). I have left out the improvements, that was made on these real guillotines in proportion to the first machine, to keep the construction as original as possible.
You can see what the finished model looks like, if it is built according to these drawings.
The finished model will be 76,8 centimetres high. All measurements on the drawings are in scale 1:5, and the unit used is millimeters, which is a part of the metric system introduced during the French Revolution. All instructions are in English. You will be advised what sort of material to use, wood, iron etc. for each part.
How to assemble.
This guide shows you which parts to make according to the measurements on the construction drawings and how to assemble the parts. (will open in a new window)
Real size in a museum.
A Belgium museum bought these construction drawings, and had a full scale guillotine build for their exhibition. Read more about this replica fullsize guillotine>>