Eldritch
07-02-2011, 10:33 PM
Jailers' Key Guns
One of the most odd objects we’ve ever seen: these items are sometimes confused with spy gadgetry, but the truth is stranger.
Jailers’ keys were apparently filled with gun powder to create a primitive gun that could be detonated if there was any trouble when opening a cell door. We found several original versions that back up this claim, dating from the 17th century and of various complexity.
16th Century Key Gun
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/7/0b/70bf1bac25f3b97c0d6fefddbe5958b8-orig
Flintlock style key gun
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/e/81/e819f2d055241ac67f8a17dab7e4364a-orig
Lock key Caplock pistol. Europe. 19th c. 9mm caliber
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/d/a9/da9d6648ce9080030bbf837a34605df7-orig
.22 caliber key pistol, 1822
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/4/72/4723ac56a76ea07638e70ec2229d8760-orig
1850s Key Pistol
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/0/b1/0b10310f86b5b75ecf9863fe67c402dd-orig
Link (http://www.oobject.com/category/jailers-key-guns/).
One of the most odd objects we’ve ever seen: these items are sometimes confused with spy gadgetry, but the truth is stranger.
Jailers’ keys were apparently filled with gun powder to create a primitive gun that could be detonated if there was any trouble when opening a cell door. We found several original versions that back up this claim, dating from the 17th century and of various complexity.
16th Century Key Gun
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/7/0b/70bf1bac25f3b97c0d6fefddbe5958b8-orig
Flintlock style key gun
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/e/81/e819f2d055241ac67f8a17dab7e4364a-orig
Lock key Caplock pistol. Europe. 19th c. 9mm caliber
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/d/a9/da9d6648ce9080030bbf837a34605df7-orig
.22 caliber key pistol, 1822
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/4/72/4723ac56a76ea07638e70ec2229d8760-orig
1850s Key Pistol
http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/0/b1/0b10310f86b5b75ecf9863fe67c402dd-orig
Link (http://www.oobject.com/category/jailers-key-guns/).