A FORMIDABLE WEAPON.

Kumara Times, Issue 1051, 13 February 1880, Page 3

A FORMIDABLE WEAPON.

A most curious weapon of offence and defence was produced in the Emerald Hill Court recently. It bore some resemblance to a piece of lead-pip-ing with a knob at each end. At one end there Was a small contrivance for enabling the weapon to be lied by means of a string or strap to the wrist of the person using it. The stringer strap would be attached to a sort of spring, hidden inside the instrument. If any attempt were made to take the weapon away by force from the person holding it, the interior mechanism Would be brought into action, causing • eight small knives or blades to shoot out from the tnblar portion of the instrument, The result would be that the person seizing it would have his ‘hand fearfully cut. The stronger he pulled,.the more severe would be his injuries;. but by suddenly releasing his hold the little knives would be caused to fall, back into their places. There has evidently been some ingenuity used in the construction of this contrivance. . Its outward appearance affords little indication of its dangerous character; but a. little pull at the strings at once brings out its hidden knives, and makes it a weapon that no one can handle without risk of receiving frightful lacerations in the hand. However, even as a club it could, from its great weight, be used with deadly effect. The weapon was produced during the hearing of a trespass case. There was

no proof of its ever having been used, but the Bench, having regard to the dangerous nature of the instrument, ordered the police to impound it.- It is a curiosity in its way.—Melbourne Argus'