Abstract: A captive bolt pistol device for use in the humane slaughtering of animals comprising two separable parts comprising a hollow cap or sleeve housing a fixed firing pin at the closed end thereof and a barrel housing the captive bolt and having a breech block at one end. The breech block is formed with a cartridge chamber which opens to the rear face of the breech block and to an expansion chamber behind the bolt. The barrel is slidably engageable with the cap and to fire the pistol a cartridge is placed within the cartridge chamber and the barrel and cap are interengaged and moved relative one to the other on impact of the muzzle end of the pistol with an animal's head so that the cartridge strikes, or is struck by, the firing pin. The two parts of the device are separated for reloading.