The Undischarged Pistol

The second pistol carried by Johan Jacob Anckarström at the masque-ball 16 March 1792 when he assassinated King Gustav III. Anckarström’s intention was to shoot himself with this weapon after he had killed the King. The King did not fall, however, and Anckarström lost his courage. When he discovered that he could not escape the building he hid the pistol by some stairs. The pistol was later dismantled and emptied of its charge in order to examine the content of the shot.