Axe pistol
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1720
Materials
iron, wood, bone
Measurements
795 mm (Length)488 mm (Length)10 mm (Calibre)
Order this imageCollection
Speke Hall, Merseyside
NT 1196289
Summary
Combined axe and flintlock pistol (Fokos), the stock with a concealed stiletto, Teschen (Polish Lithuania) or Hungary, c1720.
Full description
Combined axe and flintlock pistol (Fokos), the stock with a concealed stiletto, Teschen (Polish Lithuania) or Hungary, c1720. The purpose of these weapons is unclear but probably were intended for ceremonial use. Octagonal to round iron barrel with large muzzle retaining ring. Decorated with punch-work scrolls. Rear sight. Ramrod with iron ball-shaped head. Barrel length 48.8cm. Calibre 10mm. Wooden stock, ovoid for its entire length, and profusely inlaid with bone in the form of scrolls and dots; also bone plaques engraved with animals and human forms. Axe-head missing and replaced with muzzle retaining ring (later addition). The grip formed as an extension to the stock with a concealed stiletto of square section. Stub trigger without a guard. Plain flat flintlock of curved form. THe frizzen spring with a decorative edge and finial to the tail. Unsigned. Retained to the stock by two sidenails. Overall length: 79.5cm
References
Spencer & Phillpott, 1992: Michael Spencer & Fiona Philpott, Early European Hand-Firearms In Liverpool Museum