Elgin cutlass pistol - video

The Elgin cutlass pistol is single shot percussion pistol with a Bowie knife blade attached to the bottom of the barrel. The pistols varied in caliber, barrel type, and blade length. The larger U.S. Navy cutlass pistols were .54-caliber, with 5" smoothbore octagonal barrels, and 11" blades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odiz1huQUAQ



More:

Elgin Patent Cutlass Pistol | National Museum of American History
https://www.historynet.com/pistol-kn...ife-pistol.htm

Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...026#post125427
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...896#post124572
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...877#post105666
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...9554#post89546
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...6135#post83111

I like that it was Mass produced.
At first : WHY? but with one shot it would be better than fumbling for a separate cutlass when approached by an enemy. With that pointy bit it may have been a challenge reloading without self harm.