Combination Weapon
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Combination weapons were both objects of curiosity and showcases for the ingenuity of the maker. Many combination weapons combined the growing popularity of firearms with an already proven and familiar weapon design, in this case a spear
In Europe and Asia from the 1500s there was an explosion of innovative and unusual designs produced to incorporate this new technology, often sponsored by heads of state though their popularity seems to have been universal.
This weapon incorporates an early 19th century percussion mechanism activated by a spring-loaded spear point. The use of a crossbar resembles a Boar spear which may suggest it was intended for hunting. In Europe pistol swords were used for hunting wounded wild boar. Alternatively it resembles Chinese pistol spears and fire lances that were used to repel attackers from ramparts.
In Europe and Asia from the 1500s there was an explosion of innovative and unusual designs produced to incorporate this new technology, often sponsored by heads of state though their popularity seems to have been universal.
This weapon incorporates an early 19th century percussion mechanism activated by a spring-loaded spear point. The use of a crossbar resembles a Boar spear which may suggest it was intended for hunting. In Europe pistol swords were used for hunting wounded wild boar. Alternatively it resembles Chinese pistol spears and fire lances that were used to repel attackers from ramparts.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel and bamboo |
| Brief description | Combined spear and pistol, on a bamboo shaft with a single shot percussion lock pistol, crossbar and spear point, Bundelkhand, India, C19 |
| Physical description | A spontoon like weapon on a long bamboo shaft equipped with a single shot percussion lock pistol, crossbar and spear point. A serrated spear point on a square sliding rod engages the trigger when the spear point is depressed. The point is held in place by two curved springs acting on the crossbar. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Sir Philip P. Hutchins, K.C.S.I. |
| Object history | Given by Sir Philip P. Hutchins, K.C.S.I. Register entry 21 September 1927. |
| Summary | Combination weapons were both objects of curiosity and showcases for the ingenuity of the maker. Many combination weapons combined the growing popularity of firearms with an already proven and familiar weapon design, in this case a spear In Europe and Asia from the 1500s there was an explosion of innovative and unusual designs produced to incorporate this new technology, often sponsored by heads of state though their popularity seems to have been universal. This weapon incorporates an early 19th century percussion mechanism activated by a spring-loaded spear point. The use of a crossbar resembles a Boar spear which may suggest it was intended for hunting. In Europe pistol swords were used for hunting wounded wild boar. Alternatively it resembles Chinese pistol spears and fire lances that were used to repel attackers from ramparts. |
| Other number | RP 1927/6851 - RF number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.91-1927 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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