Combination Hunting Dagger and Double-Barrel Percussion Pistol, Sheath, and Belt of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico
1864/67
Medium
Steel, brass, silver, gilding, leather, silk velvet, and silver-gilt thread
Dimensions
L. 33.4 cm (13 1/16 in.) Blade L. 22.1 cm (8 13/16 in.) Wt. 1 lb. Caliber .36
Classification
combination weapon
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106235
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In 1840 the Parisian gunsmith Dumonthier patented his popular hunting knife with double pistols. This weapon artfully combines two percussion pistols with a knife. The hunter used it to deal the final coup de grace, or mercy blow, to the wounded game. The crowned monogram engraved over the silver-gilt belt buckle has been identified as belonging to Maximilian, the short-lived Habsburg Emperor of Mexico. The monarch apparently practiced the European court tradition of hunting in Central America.