I've been doing a lot of research on flintlock pistols over the last couple of days. In theory, I can now fire and reload one, though we'll see if it ever comes to it. I wouldn't trust myself with a water gun, let alone a genuine pistol.
But there's so much they don't show you in most media depicting flintlocks. Honestly, I think they're the most impressive mechanisms from the sheer amount of work needed to operate them. Most are single shots and have to be cleaned after each use. Leave a fragment of burning powder inside while you add more gunpowder and it'll probably go off on your fingers. Leave a space between your powder? Boom. Hand gone. Want to add another barrel so you don't have to pause for 30 seconds reloading in between shots? It'll probably explode on you too.
It all reminds me of the museum I visited back in Cambridge last September (I think...?). Its name was the Fitzwilliam Museum. If anyone's ever in England, I highly recommend they give it a visit. Aside from being hipster central (seriously, the railings are covered in jazz band flyers and every third person is a university student), it's a lovely town and the museum has an awesome armoury.
Please excuse the quality of the photos. They were taken through glass.
This was a nice collection of pistols. I love the silver detailing on the first two, though if I were a 17th century corsair, I would probably choose the fourth one down for a better size.
Unfortunately, most of the displays didn't have signs, so I couldn't find out when and where each gun was used, though I'm guessing the largest one would have been kept on a horse saddle. Not even the baddest of badasses could have carried that thing around in their pocket all the time.
A few more photos of the armoury...
Japanese katana and sheath.
Muskets and some small objects which seem to be made out of antlers. I honestly have no idea what they are. You can see my reflection in this one. OAO
I think a member of staff said these swords were German. The wavy one was beautiful up close, and so unusual. That one must have stung when it penetrated the ribcage.
It's strange to think that all the weapons we see on display in museums nowadays have a history. Where were they made? Who owned them? Were any of them used to kill?
I wonder how many fingers were accidentally blown off by the pistols I saw.
-Ellen
