Pistol sword

In addition, the two components of these weapons typically cannot be separated, unlike most bayonets mounted on rifles. Historically, some flintlock pistols of the 17th and 18th centuries were constructed as gun-swords, with the barrel of the pistol attached to the side of the blade of a shortsword or dagger. A shell guard protected the firing mechanism when it was used as a sword. These were used by French and German hunters to kill wounded wild boar. Examples of these weapons can be found in the armoury of Wawel Castle (Kraków, Poland). Similar weapons were made in India, including the katar (कटार), a thrusting dagger, modern variants of which may feature a single-shot pistol built into one side. In 1838, the United States Navy developed the .54 caliber, single-shot smoothbore Elgin pistol, which was equipped with an 11.5-inch Bowie knife blade and was intended for use by boarding parties. It was the first percussion cap gun in naval service, but only 150 were made.