Snakes alive!
Danny, I'm uncertain as to what stage of flight the reptilean incursion took place, but if at cruising altitude the creature could well have been sluggish due to being below its normal operating temperature - I believe snakes don't function too well when cold, but I stand to be corrected if any zoologists are out there.
Quite a few crew members carried kukris, although I was not one of them. As for pistols, the only time mine was used was in celebration of VJ Day when all six of my issued cartridges were discharged skywards (along with many others!).