The barrel is the handle and it shoots thru the end. All that needs to be done is tuck the shaft under the arm and pull the trigger. With the left hand on the barrel, all you have to do is pull the 36" blade from the 40" malacca shaft with 4" original ferrule. This very sharp massive one edged blade was made for slashing and it's point was made for running thru. It was a weapon of war made into a 48" staff as soon as the war was over. The shaft has the original ram rod attached. The 50 cal barrel was made for a heavy load. You put it all together and you get 1820 to 1840.