Apache knuckleduster pistol 1860s France

fernando · 12th February 2021, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

... I've never heard of savate as a dance but I do know it as a style or type of French kickboxing popular in the late 19th early 20thC...

Yes indeed Norman, a sort of French street fight. The term comes from the Spanish zapato (Portuguese sapato) as it was performed with heavy footwear, especially the boots used by French military and sailors.
There seems to be also a DANCE APACHE (a highly dramatic dance) associated with Parisian street culture)

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fernando · 12th February 2021, 07:37 PM

All in all, handling these things would be a grant to hurt their user ... and hardly his foe. The intent was more to let the others kow that you had one in your pocket; call it prestige. They were actually expensive, above the common apache financial possibilities, which having one was a double asset.
Besides the two variants made by Dolne, two further vesions were made by J. Delhaxe; all unbarreled (pepperbox)barrels available in 7 and 5 mm.

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Jim McDougall · 12th February 2021, 07:52 PM

Thank you so much Norman for these other examples, and Fernando for the insights into the term savate.
I agree these rather formidable looking weapons served as more a visual threat and psychological impact than actual weapon. However I am sure, as with any weapon of opportunity, it could serve in some degree.

I remember 'the old days' (late 50s early 60s) in the times of 'West Side Story'; "Blackboard Jungle"; James Dean etc. we all carried switchblades, some of ridiculous size (like long navajas) . Few of us really how to use them, but they looked pretty scary......and illegal.......how rebellious.

12th February 2021, 07:37 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	All in all, handling these things would be a grant to hurt their user ... and hardly his foe. The intent was more to let the others kow that you had one in your pocket; call it prestige. They were actually expensive, above the common apache financial possibilities, which having one was a double asset. Besides the two variants made by Dolne, two further vesions were made by J. Delhaxe; all unbarreled (pepperbox)barrels available in 7 and 5 mm. . Attached Images

12th February 2021, 07:52 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Thank you so much Norman for these other examples, and Fernando for the insights into the term savate. I agree these rather formidable looking weapons served as more a visual threat and psychological impact than actual weapon. However I am sure, as with any weapon of opportunity, it could serve in some degree. I remember 'the old days' (late 50s early 60s) in the times of 'West Side Story'; "Blackboard Jungle"; James Dean etc. we all carried switchblades, some of ridiculous size (like long navajas) . Few of us really how to use them, but they looked pretty scary......and illegal.......how rebellious.