Those oddities are what used to be called bosuns guns. If a cannon didn’t fire , a damp squib, they never had time to leave it etc, they had to be cleared quickly. They never fired a ball as such, but fired fire into the touch hole to clear the damp powder and hopefully ignite the charge, thus clearing the cannon. They were very unpopular because it was a very dangerous way of remediating a problem. They were used primarily in the East Indies where everything was damp .

Perhaps they are not for shooting per se, but for ignition? Like a developmental in-between of a match fuse and a built-in flintlock igniter on a cannon. Or a backup for said cannon igniter in case it misfires? That would explain the downward grip angle and the ridiculously short barrel. These remind me of the cut-down Lee-Enfields used on AFV smoke dischargers, as in a service firearm modified for a different use as a tool rather than as a weapon.

First thing I thought of in the first few seconds of the video was portable locks for firing cannon ! Glad to see other people have the same idea !

The ancient method of igniting a cannon was by use of a "linstock" ie a staff with a fork at one end to hold a lighted slow match. The linstock allowed the gunner to stand away from the cannon, both as it recoiled and as some part of the explosion vented out of the touch hole. By the mid 1700s, it was recognised that some form of mechanical ignition was quicker and more efficient and a rich variety of shapes and types resulted in the pursuit of the optimum igniter for a muzzle loading cannon. One type was a flint boxlock at the end of a long grip with a remote trigger. Another was a brass enclosed flintlock body, fixed to the cannon and operated by a lanyard. I suppose they could, if desired, be ready primed and there might be value in having more than one on hand. The circumstantial fact cannot be ignored that the exhibits shown are undoubtedly ship's pistols and were more than likely in the exclusive possession of the Royal Navy and stored at some time in the company of cannon. An article in the American Society of Arms Collectors bulletin by Dick Salzer and Matt Sears explains that in 1755, the British Admiralty issued a directive that all "Men-O-War" would have their cannon equipped with flint cannon locks. The decree was largely ignored until Sir Charles Douglas decided at his own expense to equip his 98 gun frigate HMS Duke, with such locks, improvised out of old musket locks. The resulting improvements in accuracy and rate of fire made the programme a priority. There was no standard design. These do seem to be potentially early specimens of cannon igniters, significant for that reason and notable for allowing some distance from the gun, but not very much. A design deficiency compared with the linstock. It is speculative whether they were used for Royal Navy purposes, or sold out of the Tower as surplus decades later and reworked commercially for merchant ships.

Clearly so you can hold them high above your head while "aiming" at your foe, very popular amongst 18th century gangster rappers.

these look like the kinda cartoon pistols where the bullets will do 90 degree turns around objects

The first thing that popped into my head was adaptive equipment for a partial amputee.

My first guess is that they are intended to be used to repel boarders by sticking them out of a cannon port. Or around a corner. It would explain the damage to the wood under the barrel since they would probably be they part that they would take impacts when braced against the door frame or port. I should admit that I came to this conclusion before hearing Mr. Ferguson come to the same conclusion.

The shortened barrel suggest it is not intended to shoot things. The offset grip enables the hand to be behind cover, but it cannot be aimed unless your head is over the cover. I suggest they are intended to start fires. Load with a lot of powder but no ball. Put the muzzle into a barrel of tar or the like and the muzzle flash ignites it and the offset grip keeps the hand clear of the flames. Fireships maybe.

While I think Jonathon's theory is a good one, other ideas that came to mind for me- -Booby traps. The long trigger gives a lot of leverage for a tripwire etc to act on, the crescent spur on the end gives a convenient point for some kind of lever or wire to be attached. Doesn't explain the weird angle though. -Handicap adjustment for a disabled shooter, recreational or service purposes. They might have some kind of hand or arm injury that necessitated the weird trigger and stock arrangement -Perhaps they are meant to be used upside down, the trigger finger grasping the end of the trigger, the angle would then be pointed up. They could be concealed under a table or similar to shoot someone seated opposite (I'm picturing the scene in Tombstone where Wyatt Earp has a sawn off wired to the underside of a card table -As others have suggested, they might be adapted for some kind of very specific non-weapon purpose, for lighting a fire, signalling, firing artillery etc. Probably made sense at the time but without context looks bizarre

These sorts of experimental objects are the absolute best. The mystery of their use and design makes them incredibly intriguing, and even when those things are known it is so fun to see the paths unfollowed. More of these pieces please!

Maybe an attempt at a cannon ignitor for older pieces that couldn't fit a gunlock.

They could be "Walking Stick Pistols". The fact they were sawn off leads me to believe that someone wanted to locking mechanism (which attaches the stick part to the pistol through the barrel) to no longer be there so it couldn't be a walking stick anymore, maybe for legal reasons. I have seen similar 17th & 18th century firearms that look similar to these have the stick attachment.

awesome history, thank you for showing us

My thought is that these pistols could be made for naval service men (officers?) that have lost some or all main digits, and the trigger is an adaptation to get to the remaining outer fingers to trigger the lock. The angle could improve a grip weakened by finger loss.

The handle looks like it's meant to be held upside down and the forefinger would go in the additional curve at the end of the long trigger and the bulbous end meant to rest against the web of the hand, possibly to fire underneath something from concealment.

thank you

I'd guess they're not firearms, but firestarters. You load them up with just wadding, put the barrel against something flammable, pull the trigger; instant fire. They show damage at the front because they were jammed against the edge of a container. They're curved like that to keep the hand out of the fire. The barrels are short because no accuracy is needed.

Could they be used to fire a blank charge in to a cannon touch hole or similar?

For use on an Arctic/Antarctic expedition? Where use of heavy mitten or gloves would be a consideration.

Fascinating

How about defending a fighting top from people below climbing the rigging. Or defending any ship from people boarding in small boats.

Possibly some kind of special tools. For example, to break blockages in pipes where you shouldn't stick your hands in. Once we had a chimney so blocked you couldn't open it, like shooting from the bottom with a pistol. That could be very practical for such an activity.

My guess is it was meant to convert old flintlocks that had become obsolete into some kind of utility device. It has the feel of "Let's see if we can do something with this rather than throw it out." It reminds me of attempts I have made to repurpose things, which always failed as well. I agree with some of he other comments here that the barrel is too short to fire a bullet with any accuracy, but maybe someone thought it could be used with powder only to ignite something. Even on the off chance it worked, it looks like it would have been too much effort to convert large numbers, so it wasn't adopted.

I agree!

Locktraps maybe? They are perfect for a fishing line trigger

Looks like something someone would cobble together for the Arctic. Perfect for oversized gloves....

I think that Jonathan's speculation is most likely, but I could also see them being made to accommodate a disability. The way he held it didn't look right, but if that was the best someone could do and they still wanted to shoot, it seems possible. Might also be why the barrels were cut, in an effort to make them a bit lighter.

I would guess igniting a cannon while keeping your hand relatively safe.

In the admiral museum in Dokkum (Netherlands) there are also a few, with the text stating that these pistols were used to shoot scrap metal into sloops. from other attacking ships, which would be a reason for the strange construction because you shoot down from a high deck

with the barrel that short, and the curve to keep your hand out the way, could they be intended as igniters instead of weapons? say if a cannon charge didn't go off, you touch one of these to it and light it that way? not sure what else might have needed rapid ignition?

Clearly this set of pistols is designed to be operated by an octopus. The extremely elongated grip and trigger lever allows plenty of room for it to wrap its tentacles around it.

I was thinking it could have been a purpose-built handicap type modification 🤷

With the grip so far down the grip, they must be used for shooting down, maybe from the masts of ships

My immediate thought was some sort of holdout/last redoubt pistol. As you say shooting over parapets would work. But also if forced to retreat to the structures on the quarterdeck, poking it through a hole & firing means that if someone shoots back they'll fire over your head, meaning you don't get a face full of splinters. Accuracy on your part wouldn't need to be that great if loaded with bird-shot & the sawn-off barrel would give greater spread.

Could they be expediently rebuilt for use in a howdah (where you intend to shoot downwards at silly elevations). Would also potentially explain the sawn-off barrel.

I enjoyed the lighting much more in this video as opposed to the last videos in this series. Sometimes the lighting is too dim for me to get a good look at the firearms. Thank you for your videos, tho. I very much enjoy them.

Hello Jonathan 👋🏼

The audio is a bit weird on this one but it was still fascinating so thank you

Is that Jonathan Ferguson, the keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK?

am def thinking igniting something whether canon or mortar, maybe as backup. Held at arms length away from the touch hole, pointing down. I don't know enough about muzzle loaders as to how well the charge would stay seated though?

The sort of thing that was preserved because it was weird even in the time when it was made.

Could it be to manipulate the trigger in heavy gloves?

I like your guess more than my immediate assumption which was that they maybe designed for someone less abled maybe some one with an injury or birth defect whom could not use a standard pistol very interesting pieces thanks for sharing

Does the Royal Armory have and super soakers? The OG yellow one perhaps?

could those be build for the use with prothetics?

They were the "second chance" ship gun ignition pistols, used when the gun fire hole got wet by a splash through the barrel porthole. They gave a solid shot of pure fire that would blow out the wet powder from the fire hole and hopefully get through it to the dry powder pressed inside the loaded barrel. The shape is due to the increased safety of the operator who could knee aside the gun, put the pistol barrel into the gun's fire hole and shoot the pistol keeping his head low, being protected with his hat and without looking at it, to avoid some eyes injury.

The handle reminds me of the curved handle of the Bisley-style Single Action Army revolvers that were designed for competition shooting.

they're supposed to be used with a muzzle device that's unfortunately missing. It deflects the blast down, and the circular handle lets the pistol rotate in your grip. Recoil compensation similar to the KRISS Vector.

I don't know if you all would do a video reaction to a new weapon made but Brandon herrera has officially created a .50 BMG AK platform that works and I would love to see Jonathan's reaction to it

Those are early versions of the SG42, shooting around the corner guns. Instead of looped barrels in a few SGs, they bent the grips 180 degrees, very slick.

Are they more ergonomic held upside down?

Early (by almost 200 years) version of the Krummlauf for the StG 44?

My guess (doubtless incorrect judging by other comments) was: sawn off, so short-range weapon; grips designed to orient the aim downwards - experimental cavalry pistols for shooting nearby infantrymen (or gunners) without having to cock the wrists awkwardly.

Pistols used to make trapped doors on a ship or fortification. Hence shortened barrel and the stock/grip shape. You could secure it into a cup mounting and the trigger is setup to easily attach a tripwire. That is also why no belt clip, you wont be running around with it. It would be setup or in storage. Should be able to set that up pretty much anywhere on a ship with time to do so, gun ports, doors, stairs, ceiling, floors or walls. Neat design. Your welcome Johnathan and british armory. 😊

To build on what seems to be the most popular use,shooting over something,that might explain the cut off barrel. Perhaps to aid in dispersion of multiple pellets. That would make sense for a very short range weapon.

Shooting over a wall was the first thing that came to mind.

I know what they are: gorgeous 🎉

I've never used ancient firearms, but I am a Marine and the FIRST thing that came to mind, seconds into the video, was firing at boarders of a ship without exposing yourself to losing your head to a sword swipe / cannon ball.

Your speculation was the same as my initial thought but as the video went on I had an issue with that being of course how little added protection you would get, compared to using any other pistol, basically none, plus you are almost certainly going to miss since you can't see. Then I thought, what about for shooting around corners down corridors, in this case, you can hold your arm stretched all the way out, if your opponent attempts to shoot you through the wall, you will be standing much further from the corner than they expect, and likely miss your arm and hand, and in that circumstance, in a narrow corridor, a blind shot isn't so unlikely to hit when you shoot if they approach.

Just a thought, maybe that knob at the bottom with the weird recurve bit is actually so you can hold the gun *by the knob* and then fire it with your index finger with that recurve bit as the trigger? It'd be good for shooting around a corner I guess, which seems bad? Might explain why people don't bother, but it's worth noting someone could also carry a mirror and use it to site their gun? It'd be risky for the mirror, but that'd be a risk a soldier would take I'd wager?

Is there a correlation between these and some cavalry pistols that also had oddly, acute, angled grips. The cavalry pistols were made that way because they would be fire downwards and it was claimed this created a tendency to overshoot the target if they were infantry. As these are sea-service might they have been intended to be used from rigging stations or crows nests in the event of a vessel being boarded and enemy scaling the rigging. Could the grip angle and extended mechanical elements of been intended to enable use in firing downwards into enemies climbing up, whilst the shooter could remain mainly concealed by the wood structures of the nests/platforms ? That may just be my wordy way of saying 'haven't got much of a clue apart from that '.

If I had to guess, I would say that they're made to be poked out of a small porthole, possibly to fire down at a boarding party in a longboat/dingy or to shoot out the porthole, laterally, perhaps at boarders, or even to shoot around from a porthole at someone trying to breach the door to the captain's cabin, or the hatch to the lower decks. shoving them out of a small porthole would also explain why they needed to be chopped down so much, AND why they're missing wood at the spot below the barrels that would knock and rake the frame of the tiny porthole as it was roughed through, and where it may be wedged as it fired, knocking back to damage the wood behind the hammer. I would not be shocked to discover that these were bespoke pistols for a captain, or his cabin boy as last stand weapons when barricaded in his cabin, needing only to shoot a pace or 3 distance from his tiny window to his door, OR for an intrepid crewman that thought to fight from below decks via a small porthole of some kind. Heck, could be a cook, who's tiny round porthole for ventilation would also offer such a great angle on the enemy, if only he could shoot around at that confounded angle! 🤣

I also think it's for shooting around corners, more specifically for the defense of a merchant ship. A merchant captain acquired them from the navy after the pistols were decommissioned and the ship's carpenter modified them. Because merchant ships ran on as small a crew as possible (higher profits), they generally had no chance of confronting pirates and a common strategy was to have a fortified partition below deck with gun ports facing the stairs. From there the crew could take potshots at the pirates and hopefully discourage them enough to leave. The distances would have been very short and since pirates typically boarded in great numbers (to demoralize and to overwhelm the crew before the pirates took too many casualties), it was more like shooting into a crowd than at any particular person, so not having a sightline might not have been that much of an issue. In this defensive role it also makes sense to remove the belt hooks, because you'd want to store them behind the foritification and having belt hooks on them would encourage the pistols to "grow legs" and be unavailable when urgently needed.

Cold weather mittens would fit that grip if you ask me , so winter or similar conditions would call for such

Ment to use with thick mittens?

The obvious guess is for shooting around corners, or as suggested in the video, over the side of a ship. Another option is that in the 1700s, it was not yet the standard to teach every gun user to always aim with a straight arm. So maybe some gentleman thought that it would be easier to aim when the gun is closer to his face. So if the gun is hold with a bent elbow, it becomes difficult (uncomfortable) to bend the wrist joint to the point where the gun would be horizontal. Therefore the handle would need to be bent. Several other comments have suggested that it's for igniting cannons in case of damp gunpowder that wouldn't otherwise ignite. That sounds plausible too.

In the oil industry, nearly every operator has a "Wheel Spanner", not officially recognised as a tool, all made on the sly. Used to open or close valves, they could do a lot of damage if used incorrectly. This sounds like a gunners' Heath Robinson tool which the authorities turned a blind eye to, just like the oil industry does to the wheel spanner.

my first guess was, that these was created for shooting with heave gloves but the 'cornershot' hipothesis is more plausible I think

MY first thought was a signal, warning, booby-trap pistol. But I like the @rafererrante explanation.

If it weren't for the strange curved grips, those long triggers would be good for shooting with mittens. but well, good luck reloading a flint lock with mittens on.

I think is meant to be held up side down. Use the trigger finger. May be for hanging from rigging?

what if you hold them upside down? As in an under desk or bar gun

Early flare/illumination signal launchers?

Obviously the Elephant Man’s brace of dueling pistols.

Was watching QI the other day and pretty sure I saw Jonathan Ferguson Keeper of Firearms and Artillery being a maxim gun on the site for Stephen Fry to explain that soldiers used to piss into the water jacket.

For service in the Arctic so you could hold and fire them whilst wearing thick mittens?

Reminds me of a trench rifle, or that curved barrel machine-gun the germans had. Looks like they're made to shoot from behind cover or reach angles you wouldn't usually reach with a conventional handle/stock.

The angle and short barrel might work well for dispatching an animal. Would a veterinary pistol make sense for the time period?

first thought was a quick draw duel pistol. it never leaves holster maybe slung inverted in holster for faster firing.

I don't know about the mechanism where the powder goes but the elongated trigger and the shape of the handle may suggest a upside down holding to prevent maybe water to drop on top, but looks too complicated for something that probably wont work

I thought that too, shooting out the canon hatch (holding the ball end to get more reach over the cannon), or an executioner's gun, it looks different as it more symbolic , short barrel as it wiuld be placed on top of the head (person on their knees). Bullet would shoot straight down

are these made to fired upside down? putting your pointer finger in the spur

Held sideways with the index finger on the smaller loop of the trigger (so the other way up to usual) and used to fire around a doorway maybe.

"what I will say, is that they have both lost wood" 🤣

I can see these being used as a sort of hammerlike weapon in a melee?

It's not good to lose wood!

I believe the first shot stuns, and the second kills. The jafah make great use of them

As a US Navy armorer, my theory is this is for sure something a Navy armorer made just because.

Corsairs or a cutting out party might approach and try to board a larger ship from a smaller, lower ship or boat.

those handles remind me of war clubs, perhaps for hand-to-hand fighting when out of ammo/no time to load. I initially figured they may be angled such to shoot over gunnels while hiding. Something privately produced, anyway. Of course, forgeries can exist wherever people are fascinated by objects, and certainly appear occasionally wherever people are fascinated with objects of value.

It does look like it was for shooting around corners or over the top of obstructions of some kind.

Looks like a prince rupert's drop Prince Rupert's lead

My thought is that they aren't for shooting at people. I think they are designed to be tied off to something and fired via a lanyard. They could be used as some sort of signaling device but another option would be to imbed the barrel into, say, a barrel of gunpowder as some kind of detonator. Must have been a bit of a dead end given these are the only ones known about.

I could see this as a boarding pistol where you keep your fingers behind the trigger to protect them and use your little finger to pull the trigger.

Yeah, as soon as I saw those, I thought, for shooting over the edge of a shop to prevent boarding

I suspect them being walking sticks if they had much longer barrels for barrel extensions originally

Maybe used for firing over objects?

Brings up a question I have had for a while now: how do you research the more obscure weapons? I guess what I mean by that is where do you get your information/sources on the weapon. (a bit weirdly written but, eh, I am tired)

Can talk about the Potsdam musket's self-priming system in the future?