How to render an object that "replaces" another object?

Question

Blender

Hello!
There is a 3D model of the character, he has several options for weapons and animations in his hand, respectively. A script has been written that renders it into pictures from the right sides. This script also switches weapons in hand (hides everything except the one you want).
Question: somehow you can get 1 common image (render) for all weapons (those character with a hole in his hand), and separately render the weapons themselves ..... where 1 image will be equal to one weapon?
This is necessary to separate the characters and weapons, and then having 2 different sprites - overlap each other and get a character
. There will be options like 1 character, weapon number 2, or character 2, and weapon number 1 (the animations are the same, there are no shifts), it should turn out ....