Hunting Knife Combined with Wheellock Pistol

Hunting Knife Combined with Wheellock Pistol

Ambrosius Gemlich

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In the sixteenth century, wheellock pistols sometimes were combined with swords, knives, axes, maces, spears, and even crossbows, which could be used in the event the pistol misfired. Usually clumsy and impractical, combined weapons were nevertheless highly prized curiosities. On this example, the heavy, cleaverlike blade is etched with a calendar and the decorator's name.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Hunting Knife Combined with Wheellock PistolHunting Knife Combined with Wheellock PistolHunting Knife Combined with Wheellock PistolHunting Knife Combined with Wheellock PistolHunting Knife Combined with Wheellock Pistol

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.