Antique Pistols

Produced by the Sheffield-based firm Unwin & Rodgers, this combination weapon is an example of the "self-defence" knives that were highly popular in the mid-19th century. During a period when the firm was expanding its reach into the American market, the manufacturer moved away from clumsy cutlass-style designs in favor of more compact, pocketable weapons. This specific design integrates a folding dagger with a percussion pistol built directly into the handle. The mechanism is characterized by a threaded screw used as a trigger, which is accessed via an unscrewable horse hook serving as a ramrod. Following the success of such designs at the 1851 Great Exhibition, these "combination weapons" became a hallmark of the firm’s identity, bridging the gap between traditional Sheffield cutlery and personal firearms.