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    Whaling explosive projectile Brass, lead, and iron; 5.6 × 1.7cm, by Louis François Devisme, after 1840 Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam The projectile was designed for hunting whales and other large game, exemplifying the brutal efficiency of 19th-century firearms technology. It was crafted by Louis François Devisme (1806–1873), a Parisian gunsmith renowned for his precision-engineered weapons. It takes the shape of a brass cylinder with a blunt where an iron nipple screws in. A percussion cap rests on the nipple, primed to ignite upon impact. This mechanism was intended to trigger an explosive charge stored in the chamber at the projectile's base. The sealing cap for the bottom explosive chamber is missing. The explosive force would inflict devastating injuries on its target, designed to incapacitate or kill large creatures, particularly, whales with maximum effectiveness. A lead ring encircles the exterior of the brass body, cut with grooves that engaged with rifled barrels. This feature enabled the projectile to spin in flight, increasing its stability and accuracy. This projectile reflects the harsh realities of 19th-century hunting practices, where such weaponry was created not only to hunt but also to dominate and control nature through violent means. While a marvel of engineering, this device underscores the grisly nature of its purpose: to penetrate, maim, and kill large creatures effectively.  
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