Grand Hairy One

A pair of presentation flintlock pistols crafted by Nicholas Noel Boutet of the Versailles Armory, presented to Napoleon Bonapart, early 19th century

Percussion Taschenpistole from the Austrian Empire dated to 1850 on display at the Museum of Military History in Vienna, Austria

The Taschenpistole was called the Pocket Pistol or Bicycle Gun in the UK and USA and was a weapon associated with the wealthy and the aristocracy. Initially a single shot pistol that was used for self defence dating back to the 17th century, it became another way to display wealth and status in society. The two most famous ones were the flintlock Queen Anne Pistol, which this one resembles, and the American Derringer.

Château Gaillard, Les Andelys, Eure département, Normandy, France.

http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/photos.htm

Château Gaillard is a ruined medieval castle overlooking the River Seine. Construction began in 1196 under Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy. The castle was built in just two years.

Château Gaillard has a complex and advanced design - possibly designed by Richard himself. It uses principles of concentric fortification. It was also one of the earliest European castles to use machicolations - an idea that Richard might well have brought back from the Holy Land. The castle consists of three enclosures separated by dry moats, with a keep in the inner enclosure. Château Gaillard was captured in 1204 by the French king, Philip II, after a lengthy siege. In the mid-14th century, the castle became the residence of the exiled David II of Scotland.

Negroli, Filippo (fl.1532-51)

Armoured breastplate (metal),  Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, Italy

Sword with Scabbard (18th–19th century)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Type: Sword with scabbard

Origin: China

Material: Steel, bronze, silver, wood, leather, cord, probably stone

Technique: Forging

Overall length: with scabbard 102.6 cm, without scabbard 91.9 cm

Blade length: 73.7 cm

Width: 8.9 cm

Weight: sword 864.7 g, scabbard 581.2 g