Combination knife-gun devices have been popular for hundreds of years, spurred initially by the single-shot nature of early firearms. The designs evolved to incorporate revolver cylinders when the revolver was invented, and remain interesting to people even to the present day. Global Research And Development (GRAD) of Las Vegas manufactured the CM-1 combination knife and revolver in the 1990s. Where most such weapons are not disguised, the CM-1 design hid the revolver and barrel mechanism inside the grip of the knife, leading to it being classified as an AOW ("any other weapon") under the NFA.

A latch on the back of the grip allows it to open up, exposing a 6-shot cylinder chambered for .22LR cartridges and a barrel ending just above the blade or the knife. The trigger is a double action only squeeze type lever on the bottom surface of the grip which is locked in place until released for firing.

GRAD made the CM-1 in several different variations, including multiple blade styles, a rifle-mounted bayonet type, a blade-only version without the revolver, a fancy decorated model, and this one of a kind extravagantly embellished "DRAGON" example, complete with 102 embedded diamonds.