Elgin Cutlass Pistol
This video discusses the Elgin Cutlass Pistol, a unique firearm patented in 1837 by George Elgin. Inspired by Jim Bowie's popularity, the pistol featured a large knife attached to a single-shot percussion mechanism, intended as a dual-purpose weapon. Despite potential practical drawbacks like bulk and weight, the design saw production by licensed manufacturers and was even purchased by the US Navy. The specific example highlighted is a commercial model made by Morrill, Mosman, and Blair, noted as the first percussion handgun formally adopted by the US military.










