Beware The Early 19thC Night Watchman

Jim McDougall · 17th December 2018, 04:06 PM

Its always fascinating to see these 'novelty' items …...the guys in India thought they had the market cornered on innovation !!! The 'Firearms Curiosa' (from the excellent book by Winant by this title)….were well known with swords with gun barrels mounted and of course the legendary Elgin cutlass pistol......but these novelties are, in a word...…...BIZARRE!

Great topic and well worth more research and examples!

Here is one that always intrigued me...…….the mysterious GRAVE ROBBERS GUN. These were apparently around in the 18th into 19th c. to thwart potential grave robbers (very Edgar Allen Poe) and seems to have operated with trip wires. I think we'll avoid this becoming a thread on graves or robbing too.

fernando · 17th December 2018, 04:42 PM

No need to change the thread title to "bizarre weaponry" or the like. As long as old guns are in the menu, digression is never a profound one.
That grave protector beast in #8 seems to have an end XVIII French lock, judging by the brass priming pan.
Here is a similar one with a different lock (i guess) from a compendium of solutions to protect fresh graves, a hobby most appealing in a determined period.

And by the way, Rick ...
What type of person would go out with that lamp gun ?

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Rick · 17th December 2018, 04:51 PM

Gentlemen, the polite word for that profession is Resurrectionist. Much more suitable for talk at the dinner table.

Now that you mention use Fernando; I think the person going 'out' might be on the receiving end of the barrel.
I think the finger stalls are a nice touch and add a little class to the object.

fernando · 17th December 2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... Now that you mention use Fernando; I think the person going 'out' might be on the receiving end of the barrel.

Ah ... you got me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

.... I think the finger stalls are a nice touch and add a little class to the object...

The officer version; rank and file would have to do with a plain handle

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17th December 2018, 04:06 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Its always fascinating to see these 'novelty' items …...the guys in India thought they had the market cornered on innovation !!! The 'Firearms Curiosa' (from the excellent book by Winant by this title)….were well known with swords with gun barrels mounted and of course the legendary Elgin cutlass pistol......but these novelties are, in a word...…...BIZARRE! Great topic and well worth more research and examples! Here is one that always intrigued me...…….the mysterious GRAVE ROBBERS GUN. These were apparently around in the 18th into 19th c. to thwart potential grave robbers (very Edgar Allen Poe) and seems to have operated with trip wires. I think we'll avoid this becoming a thread on graves or robbing too. Attached Images

17th December 2018, 04:42 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Rick not minding ... No need to change the thread title to "bizarre weaponry" or the like. As long as old guns are in the menu, digression is never a profound one. That grave protector beast in #8 seems to have an end XVIII French lock, judging by the brass priming pan. Here is a similar one with a different lock (i guess) from a compendium of solutions to protect fresh graves, a hobby most appealing in a determined period. And by the way, Rick ... What type of person would go out with that lamp gun ? . Attached Images

17th December 2018, 04:51 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Gentlemen, the polite word for that profession is Resurrectionist. Much more suitable for talk at the dinner table. Now that you mention use Fernando; I think the person going 'out' might be on the receiving end of the barrel. I think the finger stalls are a nice touch and add a little class to the object.