Henry VIII’s bizarre mace pistol,A very bizarre weapon, this is a mace with three pistol barre
Henry VIII’s bizarre mace pistol,A very bizarre weapon, this is a mace with three pistol barrels located in the mace head. A matchlock firearm, it was discharged by touching a burning slow match to a touch hole. Most interestingly one was owned by Henry VIII King of England, who would carry it while walking the streets of London at night. He did this to check that his constables were doing their duty. One night they were, and he was arrested and jailed for suspicious activities, as he was carrying a huge mace gun on him at the time. When his identity was revealed, the constables feared they would be executed, after all Henry was known for having people executed. However they were rewarded with a stipend of 23 pounds for their vigilance.Henry VIII’s mace is currently a part of the Royal Armouries Collection -- source link
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