Unusual weapons
When it comes to war, people have always shown great imagination. Let's discover the most unusual weapons found at the musée de l’Armée.
Twin swords
Intended for the practice of fencing, these perfectly symmetrical twin swords can be slid into the same sheath together. Handles, knobs, crossguards, and guard rings complete the perfection to form one and the same weapon. The one held in the right hand is used to attack while the one held in the left hand stops the enemy's attacks.
Bling bling
Both a ceremonial object and technological prowess, this miniature gun was intended to enrich the princely cabinets of curiosities of the 16th century. But beware! Beneath its charms, this mini wheel gun fires real (small) bullets. Preserved with its metal chain, it can be worn as jewellery by its owner.
Serrure dont la clef fait pistolet Vue généraleMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
The key to success
Fitted on a chest, a door or a cabinet, the most unsurprising thing about this lock is that it is opened using a key.
Serrure dont la clef fait pistolet Vue de la clé seuleMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
The latter is actually fitted with a firing system under the ring, while the rod was removed to transform into a cannon. Undoubtedly created as part of a technical challenge rather than to meet a real need, this key gun is an example of the know-how of craftsmen who compared ingeniousness to create unique pieces.
By way of short explanation: in the 18th century, firearms were often hidden in everyday items and sometimes in Bibles, whether for defence—as the roads were unsafe—or for attack.
Grenadier, France, 1747 Grenadier, France, 1747 (1747) by Vicaire (Armorer)Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Grenaaaaaaade!
During a siege, both parties used grenades and other projectiles. With this gun, the assailant can hit targets that are further away, with a range of up to 329 feet (150 m), all while being protected from enemy fire.
The shape of the gun, once the end is planted into the ground, can buffer the recoil caused by the firing of the projectile.
Pistolet à rouet à trois canons, France, vers 1610 Vue généraleMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Three is the magic number
Included in the inventory of the Crown collections, this non-standard gun is evidence of the interest shown by King Louis XIII in the production of guns in the 17th Century.
Pistolet à rouet à trois canons, France, vers 1610 DétailMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Formerly gilded, the three tubes are bound together at the chamber by a single shaft. The central barrel is engraved with the inventory number.
Orgue à douze canons Orgue à douze canons (16th century)Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Music soothes the soul (or not)
Formed by 12 small-caliber barrels, this item is a formidable weapon on the battlefield. Able to pierce armor at close range 98 to 165 feet (30–50 m), it was used during sieges or on the battlefields to injure the front ranks of the opponent infantry.
The gun barrels are interconnected and allow for at least twelve bullets to be fired simultaneously, only requiring a single shot.
Fusil de tranchée Lebel modèle 1886/93 (1893) by Manufacture of Châtellerault (Manufacturer)Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Trench warfare
World War I was characterized by trenches where the troops fought, sheltered, and lived. The trenches called for specialist equipment, hence the creation of rifle prototypes.
This model is made from a regulation gun, the butt of which has been perfectly modified to suit the shapes of the trench.
Thanks to two mirrors attached to the same weapon, the soldier can safely adapt his shot to his target without leaving the trench.
Although clever, this trench gun prototype was never actually distributed widely.
However, credit where credit is due…
Led Zeppelin
Dropped on a Parisian suburb during the night of March 20, 1915, this Zeppelin bomb was found partially burned on the property of a rather surprized owner.
Weighing 8kg, it is made of metal layers covered with hemp, all containing explosive substances.
In 1940. Winston Churchill created the SOE (Special Operation Executive), a secret service supporting the resistance movement in war-torn countries. From the minds of the scientists and inventors of the SOE came an incredible number of gadgets including disguises, explosive suitcases, sneakers adapted to leave false footprints, and explosive rats.
Rat piègéMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
(D)rat!
Intended to sabotage enemy factories, the SOE developed explosive rats in 1941. The plan was to place rats in trips by coal boilers in the hope that the German workers would throw them on the fire, causing the factory to explode.
The project failed completely when the German army intercepted the first convoy…
But all was not lost! The Germans, impressed by the inventiveness, presented the scheme at military schools and ordered rats to be hunted across all factories, creating real paranoia among the German troops.
A story written and edited by the teams of the Army Museum.
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