Denix 18th Century French Knife Pistol, Brass

Reproduction of flintlock pistol with knife, made in wood and metal with simulating mechanism of loading and firing.

Flintlock pistols, one of the most commonly used firearms by the pirates in the eighteenth century, had a flint or flint stone, which when it was triggered by the hammer produced the spark that ignited the gunpowder. All these guns required to be ammo reload manually after each shot. The ammunition, which was introduced through the mouth of the barrel, consisted of gunpowder, projectile and a paper wad, which served as a cap to keep the two previous materials compressed inside the barrel.

In combat, generally these weapons were used for a single shot, since the method of reloading was very slow and it was not usually time to recharge. Therefore the fighters after shooting were forced to draw their sabers or swords or to use the knife of the pistol if they could not recharge it in time.