Flintlock/knife

The good news is, this world has in it a thing that looks like an elaborate butter-knife, but is really a flintlock pistol. The bad news is, you missed your choice to buy it -- it sold in Sept 2011 for $3750.

This unusual knife/pistol combination has a flintlock pistol as the handle for the knife and the knife the grip area for the pistol. The knife blade is 5 3/4 inch in length with a curved tip (similar to a butter knife) and decorative ricasso with floral scroll engraving. The handle/pistol portion is silver plated with floral scroll engraving. The top has a banner marked "F.X. RICHTER" and the bottom "IN REICHEBERG". The muzzle is coming out of a dragon/serpents mouth. There is a hammer, pan, frizzen and single spring mounted on the right side and the trigger, two springs and a locking mechanism between the hammer and forward spring are mounted on the left side. When the hammer is cocked, the mechanism rotates and the hammer catches a notch and holds the hammer. Pulling the trigger, releases the hammer and the pistol is fired. Due to the fact that the knife is the grip for the pistol, writer assumes there would normally be a scabbard of some sort otherwise firing the pistol could be a little hazardous.

1154 Unique Engraved F.X. Richter Marked Combination Flintlock Pistol and Knife (via Neatorama)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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Paul Renault

If the bullet used was expelled with sufficient force, this would be perfect for murder-suicides.

/Y’know, Newton’s Third Law and all that.

Edited to add: I just remembered that David Kucer, of MacKay St., in Montreal, was a regular customer at a photo shop where I worked. He makes miniature firearms (1/3 scale) along with the 1/3 scale bullets – from scratch. An astoundingly gifted machinist. So I visited his website.

He had a British Hunting Sword – sword/pistol. At the slide show at the link, click on the sixth image at the bottom to see it.
http://www.kucers.com/index.php?option=com_xegallery3&Itemid=6&lang=en

I think he is responsible for the fact that I have a hard time being impressed by the ‘Maker’-ness of using a wicker basket ty-wrapped to an old bicycle as a flower pot.

I guess I’m like the fake Lady Fiona McTarry (having been replaced by Agent Mimi in the 1967 version of Casino Royale) who, after experiencing Bond’s substantial, um, manliness just once, decides that no other man will do and since she can’t have him, retires to a nunnery.
jackrabbitslim

This kind of combination weapon used to be fairly common. There were sword/pistols, axe/pistols, mace/pistols, pistols with knives on and so forth.
The really neat bit is that I know of at least one person making these nowadays. Bruce Bump makes crazy beautiful “cut’n'shoots”.

I’ve never been able to figure out how much they cost. Based on the level of craftsmanship I would assume that, since I have to ask, I can’t afford them.

http://www.brucebumpknives.com/images/brutus2_8x10.jpg
- Pag
  
  I even heard that Abraham Lincoln used an axe-shotgun in some of his… extra-curricular activities.
- Punchcard
  
  I love the oddball combo weapons out of history, but is the first time I have ever seen a combo made out of what appears to be a butterknife!
  - dragonfrog
    
    In cold weather, butter can get very difficult to spread. This would show it.
- Antinous / Moderator
  
  This kind of combination weapon used to be fairly common.
  
  If there were a bow that shot axes, could we call it a Legimlas?
nmfo

Lends new meaning to “bringing a knife to a gunfight”
Ramone

Upon first glance I wondered why a tiny astronaut was sitting atop an elaborate knife.
http://imcravingpresidency.tumblr.com/ SedanChair

OK, this time I’m gonna get it. This time…I’ve got to concentrate….

Concentrate…

*BLAM* FUCK, I JUST SHOT ANOTHER BAGEL
http://evilbobdayjob.blogspot.com/ Deidzoeb

Am I understanding the direction of the gun correctly? — You’ve either got a knife aiming back at you when you fire at something, or a gun aiming back at you when you cut something?
ObeyMyBrain

Perfect for those frequent occasions when assassins come at you during morning tea and crumpets.
Charles Richter

F. X. Richter made a whole serving set:

http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/cutlery/cutlery.htm

No more arguing over who carves the turkey.
Selena60

I think that’s the kind of weapon they were referring to in the “right to bears arms” section of the constitution.
Jorpho

Due to the fact that the knife is the grip for the pistol, writer assumes there would normally be a scabbard of some sort otherwise firing the pistol could be a little hazardous.

Aye, you could get butter all over your hand. Nobody likes that.