THE TIGER STRIKING THE SPEAR AND THE RECOIL OF THE GUN WOULD INDEED BE LIKELY TO SEND THE USER FLYING. A LONG SHAFT WOULD BE NICE BUT GIVEN THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE GUN/SPEAR IT WAS PROBABLY NOT VERY LONG SO IT WOULD BE FAST ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH A CHARGEING OR LEAPING TIGER. ONE OF THE OLD MOST DANGEROUS JOBS NO DOUBT.
