Combinable hunting rifle and blade

From the 15th century, people sought to combine different weapons for a single purpose, generally a cold weapon and a firearm.  This is an instrument used for fox hunting, a cynegetic sport par excellence which was reserved for the aristocracy under the Old Regime. 

It was used to kill the injured game, after it was rounded up by a pack of dogs.  It consists of a blade with a double-edged knife, as well as a removable wooden handle, carved with entangled animals (dogs, rabbits, wild boars) and masks.  

This removable handle, which is held in place by a spring-loaded blade at the knife’s tang, can be removed and adapted in the same way at the rear of the flint gun handle.  It can then be used as a stick.  It is also equipped with an obvious barrel, closed by a sliding lid, which serves as a bullet box.  The gun’s handle is decorated with sculptures that are similar to those on the knife’s handle.