Description of the Product This side-by-side double-barreled flintlock pistol is said to be from Napoleon's private armory and it bears his insignia on both sides of the grip. Unusual for its day, the double-barrel configuration provided a decided advantage over its single-barreled counterpart, given the notoriously slow reloading procedure of flintlocks. This pistol could have been used as a traveling pistol, and being a double cannon, would have provided a clear advantage against possible opponents, due to the slow process of recharging flintlock guns of that period. Napoleon Bonaparte was the Emperor of France from 1804-1815. He is considered one of the greatest military geniuses in history, having conquered a large part of Europe. He commanded several campaigns of very successful warfare, and these aggressive wars of conquest involved soldiers in numbers never seen before. According to the engraving on top of the two barrels, the pistol originated in the French gun making center of St. Etienne. St. Etienne had been an important center of sword and knife manufacture since the Middle Ages, and the official arms manufacturer of the French state was founded there in 1776, which was producing weapons up until 2001. This is a non-firing reproduction of a flintlock pistol with 2 barrels, made in wood and metal with two mechanisms of loading and firing, one for each barrel. The substantial and heavy pistol is richly decorated. This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size, but may be slightly lighter in weight. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods. Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means. Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public. A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration. Length: 37 cm Weight: 1190 g Manufacturer: Denix, Spain Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland. –More information about international shipping-
