A Bible Gun that belonged to Francesco Morosini, could be Fired Without Opening the Book
Have you ever heard of a Bible that’s also a gun? Sounds like something out of a spy novel, right?
But it’s real, and it’s been on display for centuries, tucked away in a museum in Venice.
This remarkable item belonged to Francesco Morosini, the Doge of Venice during the late 17th century, and it’s not just a book—it’s a weapon disguised as a prayer book.
The Bible, crafted in Venice for Morosini in the 1600s, is no ordinary religious text. Inside its pages is a hidden chamber that houses a small firearm.
And the kicker? The gun could be fired without ever opening the book.
Yes, you read that right. The Bible, when closed, could still pack a punch.
The Man Behind the Bible Gun
Francesco Morosini was a fascinating figure.
Born on February 26, 1619, Morosini was part of the influential Morosini family, known for producing a string of generals and Doges.
He ruled as Doge of Venice from 1688 until his death in 1694.
This period coincided with the height of the Great Turkish War, a conflict that kept Morosini busy with military matters.
Known for his bravery and leadership, Morosini was also a man of faith, which makes his Bible-cum-gun combination even more intriguing.
But why would a religious book be outfitted with a weapon?
One could speculate that the gun-book was not just a practical item, but a symbol.
A symbol of power, protection, and maybe even a bit of cheeky defiance.
Morosini was a leader, a general, and perhaps he wanted to make sure he had a little firepower even when engaging in quiet moments of prayer.
A Prayer Book with a Twist
The Bible was beautifully crafted and bound, no doubt a prized possession for the Venetian Doge.
But aside from a few prayers, there was a hidden surprise waiting inside.
In the words of Lorenzo Cittone, who described it in his book Venise, L’hiver Et L’ete, De Pres Et De Loin, “this beautiful book features a buttless gun.”
Yes, a buttless gun—how exactly does that work?
According to Cittone’s account, the gun was cleverly concealed within the binding, but with a silk bookmark that could trigger the firearm.
Even when the Bible was still closed, the owner could pull out the bookmark and, voilà—fire away.
The catch? Getting the gun out while the book was shut was no easy feat.
It took a little finesse, but when you’re a Doge, you don’t mind a little challenge in the name of personal security, do you?
The book is now on display in Venice’s Museo Correr, where visitors can marvel at this unique blend of religious devotion and military ingenuity.
The Bible isn’t just a piece of history; it’s a testament to a time when practicality, faith, and power often came in unexpected forms.
IMAGE: Nicholas Herman
A Symbol of Power and Protection
The gun-book speaks volumes about the era it came from.
The 17th century was a time of constant warfare and shifting power structures, and rulers like Morosini needed to stay prepared for anything.
A Bible with a hidden gun was, in many ways, the perfect metaphor for the time.
It was a way to combine the spiritual and the martial—faith and force—in one sleek package.
Imagine, for a moment, how this object would have been perceived by others at the time.
A book of prayer that could also protect you in times of danger.
It might have seemed like the perfect fusion of faith and self-defense, a reminder that even in a time of war, there was room for the sacred and the lethal.
Unveiling a Hidden Piece of History
If you ever find yourself in Venice, a stop at the Museo Correr is a must.
The Bible-gun sits in its display case as one of the museum’s most fascinating artifacts.
It’s not just a relic of a bygone era; it’s a conversation starter, a glimpse into the unusual ways in which power, religion, and personal protection intersected in the past.
