Elgin Cutlass Pistol
The Elgin Cutlass Pistol, patented by George Elgin around 1837, uniquely combined a percussion pistol with a large blade, capitalizing on the popularity of Bowie knives. Produced by Morrill, Mosman & Blair and the Allen Company, variations exist with different barrel and trigger guard styles. The US Navy acquired 150 Allen-made units in 1838, marking an early instance of percussion handgun use by the military.









