The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1885-04-02
CURIOUS WEAPONS.
Concealed Arms Used Before tho I'm.
PRODUCTION OF Firearms.

PRODUCTION OF Fircarn,s.
Before the introduction of firearms
concealed weapons for projecting mis-
siles were very rare, though cross-bows
evidently meant for that purpose have
been preserved. With the use of fire.
arms, however, concealed weapons be-
came more numerous; the sudden dis
charge of vollev of unknown weapons
causing more fright and confusion than
damage. When the cavalry-pistol was
first Introduced it was regarded as q
marvel Of ingenuity, and won many
battles for the troops that employed
it. In the early days of firearms
we find them combined with battle
axes, pixies, swords, daggers and
even shields, though whether these
may be considered concealed weapons
NAV be matter of doubt. In the Mu-
scum of Edinburgh there is u purse of
peculiar construction. Beneath the catch
there is small, tlint-lock pistol, and by
turning certain buttons the pistol is pre-
pared for instant use, so that any one &C.
uuainted with the secret can open the
purse without danger, but on explosion
is sure to follow an attempt in the ordi-
nary way. This purse is alluded to by
Sir Walter Scott in Rob Roy and de-
scription of it given in full. The Tower
of London has twenty-one specimens of
shields with a pistol attachment in the
center, the pistol being breech.loader
and slightly pro jecting from the center
of the shield so that it would
hardly be noticed by an enemy until
the discharge took place. A small hole
in the shield gave an opportunity for
taking aim, and while the weapon could
not have been very dangerous it must
have been terrifying to knight to see
his antagonists shield 90 off in this un-
expected manner. The Paris museum
has a sword arquebus, the sword being
straight and the pistol being alongside
of it and fired with o wheel-lock. The
tower collection has also pike gun,
double-barrelcd, with flint lock, to-
gether with dagger pistol, the two
weapons being combined in one in a
remarkably ingenious manner, the pistol
being in the center of the dagger blade.
TIE Birmingham museum has whip
pistol, the barrel being concealed in the
stock of the whip, flint lock having q
concealed trigger. 1t was used by
outlaws and also by postillions, many
specimens being preserved in the Paris
museums. The Germans had peculiar
battle-axe with o pistol cunningly con-
cealed in the head of the axe, so that
the owner could shoot down his op.
ponent before the latter knew what
allied him. Among these early weapons,
so large number were brcech- leaders
that it is quite remarkable that the fact
is not more generally known. Almost
the earliest cannon were breech- load
crs. Many of the earliest portable fire.
arms were of this pattern, and so
large number of the pistols that the
notion ceases 10 be novel. Nor were
hammerless guns unknown even before
the days of percussion locks. The
Tower of London contains specimen
of hammerless gun made in the seven
teenth century, which was fer more. of
an achievement for that day than the
most complex specimen of the kind can
be for us. In fact, 'among the Seaity
long and heavy guns, the breech-loader
is the rule and not the exception, go
that even here there is nothing new, and
it may be safely affirmed that, in the
matter of firearms, so far as the prin-
ciples 60, there is not one principle
known to the present generation that has
not been applied at least hundred
times two centuries ago.-London Iele-
graph.