Émile Nagant was a French firearms designer born in 1850, best known for his work on revolvers. He developed the Nagant M1895, a unique double-action revolver that featured a gas-seal system, enhancing its muzzle velocity and accuracy. This design was adopted by the Russian military and saw extensive use during the early 20th century. Nagant's contributions to firearm design extended beyond the M1895, influencing various other models and innovations in revolver technology. His work is often recognized for its engineering ingenuity, and the Nagant M1895 remains a notable example of early 20th-century firearm design.