FRENCH DOUBLE BARREL PIRATE'S FLINTLOCK PISTOL by DENIX
This huge Doubble Barrel Pirate's Flintlock features simulated ivory stock adorned with simulated antique brass fittings. Measuring 14 1/2" in overall length and 3 inches wide, with a weight of 3.5 lbs., this deluxe non-firing model has been faithfully reproduced in weight, feel and handling characteristic of the rare and expensive original. And the action works! Adjust the striking plates, cock the hammers and pull the triggers. Comes fully assembled and ready for display in your home or office.
Note: You must 18 years of age or older to purchase this pistol. These handsome collector model guns are made of antique finished zinc cast metal and simulated ivory. The screw heads are molded into the metal and cannot be removed. These models cannot withstand misuse or excessive dry-firing. Cannot be made to fire real ammunition.
FLINTLOCK PISTOL USED IN BOARDING ATTACKS & MELEES
Unlike the rifle, pistols seemed to be a pirate's best friend. In most pictures of pirates, it is clear that a number of pistols were carried by each pirate. In most pictures of BlackBeard, at least a half dozen pistols, assumed loaded and ready, can be seen in his sash.
The mid- to late 17th century was the heyday of the pirate trade, and pitched battles at sea between armed sailing ships were common. Marines carried muskets, but for sailors the pistol and cutlass combination made far more sense. Sailors who could get a loaded pistol could readily board an enemy vessel, fire a shot, use the emptied gun as a small club, and swing a cutlass all the time.
Pistols came in in a variety of shapes and styles, from long to short barrel versions, approx 9 inches and 12 inches long, with a bore of about 0.56 inches. The butt had a rounded and sometimes metal base (known as a skull crusher butt cap) so the pistol could be used as a club once fired. Issued either singularly or in pairs, most sea pistols had an effective range of only 3 or 4 yards. Moreover, pistols being what they were and boarding attacks being virtual mob assaults, one did not need to be much of a marksman. An enemy was usually only a few feet away if that far. Anyone armed with a musket would have found it far more hindrance than help. Specialized weapons were developed for such melees, one of them being the double barrel flintlock Pistol.
"Flintlock" pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. A small amount of gunpowder in this pan is ignited, which in turn ignites the main gunpowder charge in the barrel, firing the lead ball. Both the main charge and the ball were loaded from the front, or muzzle, of the barrel, after which the priming charge was poured into the pan – all very time consuming! Often the priming charge would burn but fail to ignite the main charge – whence the expression "flash in the pan"! Some Pirates of the 18th century carried pistols similar to this multi-barrel flintlock in their raiding exploits. As such skirmishes rarely included time-outs for reloading, a cutlass would accompany the pistol. The double barrel flintlock narrowed those odds and was "double the pleasure, double the gun".
Manufacturer Info - Denix - Denix manufactures high-end replicas of guns, swords, daggers, cannons and other historical armor and weapons replicas. Denix makes historical representations of weapons that range from Roman times to present. All of the Denix replicas are made with the collector in mind and bring to mind the historical events and people that inspire greatness in all its aspects. Denix uses High-grade alloy metals and hardwoods in the construction of all collectibles. Most Denix replicas are modeled after existing pieces in museums or private collections and are usually made in full size scale, except for their line of historic miniatures.
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