Despite its viscerally gruesome nature, some argue that the guillotine might be the most painless of execution methods. A heavy blade makes abrupt work of nerves, tendons, and the spinal cord.

King Louis XVI was executed by the guillotine in January 1793 after being founf guilty of high treason. It belonged to my Great Grandad, who gave it to my Grandad. My Grandad gave it to me and my ...