Jump to content

Tear Gas Pen?


Readymade

Recommended Posts

Came across this pen-related oddity, now on eBay. No affiliation whatsoever. Simply thought it curious and wanted to share it with my fellow pen-lovers :)

 

Apparently it fires tear-gas? But no pictures of the nib so maybe you can't even write with it in the first place :P

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190364233074&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Singapore Fountain Pen Lovers on Facebook
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 18
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • ZeissIkon

    4

  • HLeopold

    1

  • Readymade

    1

  • EricB

    1

Came across this pen-related oddity, now on eBay. No affiliation whatsoever. Simply thought it curious and wanted to share it with my fellow pen-lovers :)

 

Apparently it fires tear-gas? But no pictures of the nib so maybe you can't even write with it in the first place :P

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190364233074&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

 

No nib, this thing would be pretty much like a shotgun chamber, and extremely short barrel. Takes a special type of small shot shell that is loaded with a small charge of powder and the tear gas (actually some kind of powder that the burning powder charge will burn on firing, the powder charge also fires the resulting gas out of the chamber.) The rear of the "pen" unscrews, the cartridge (shell) is put in, the rear is screwed back on, and when needed the bolt is pulled back ("pen" is now cocked). To fire a small button is pushed releasing the firing pin in the bolt. There were many variations made by many companies, none very good, nor very safe, but possibly useful in an extreme case, just don't depend on them to actually work as advertised.

 

The one I have handled was about 5" long, less than an inch in dia. Called a "pen" only because you could carry one like a pen clipped to a pocket, and it MIGHT be confused with a fountain pen on a dark night, in a coal cellar by a blind, black cat.

 

Probably was fired once, which was most likely by accident in the owners home, which may, or may not, have driven him/her out of the room. It had obviously never been carried much if at all.

 

Shells for these are non-existent for the vast majority made, there MAY be a few examples still around, but those would be worth far more as collectibles than the "pens" they were to be fired in.

 

Illegal in many, if not all states,(possibly most countries as well) even though their usefulness was pretty much nil. (Have not found one case where one was used for its' intended use, and where I have found mention of them, it seems that they were fired by accident and at best caused a stink (literally) or burned the person firing it at worst.)

 

Just checked the link, this one is almost identical to the one I handled, and in the same condition. I do note though that it does have the rest of the stuff the one I checked out did not, box/papers and cartridges, looks like 2 were fired, or may be something small died in the box. I do know that nothing could get me to try out any of the remaining cartridges in that thing, not even with someone else's hand doing the shooting.

Edited by HLeopold

Harry Leopold

“Prints of Darkness”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Illegal in many, if not all states,(possibly most countries as well) even though their usefulness was pretty much nil. (Have not found one case where one was used for its' intended use, and where I have found mention of them, it seems that they were fired by accident and at best caused a stink (literally) or burned the person firing it at worst.)

 

The main reason these were outlawed in many jurisdictions is that it was trivial to make many of them fire a projectile, making them legally a firearm even if they were "intended" to fire only tear gas. I believe they were made Federally illegal by Gun Control Act of 1968 (because they're a "handgun" with smoothbore barrel), but a grandfather clause allows legal possession of examples made before the law changed (same as "Snake Charmer" shotshell pistols).

 

I agree, far less effective and more hazardous to the user than a small can of Mace or pepper spray -- and never intended to write.

Does not always write loving messages.

Does not always foot up columns correctly.

Does not always sign big checks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can you imagine picking that sucker up by accident and trying write with it only to have it go off on you? THAT would be an enlightening experience to say the least!!

Looking for Vintage Conway Stewart pens in blue marble to buy or trade.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main reason these were outlawed in many jurisdictions is that it was trivial to make many of them fire a projectile, making them legally a firearm even if they were "intended" to fire only tear gas. I believe they were made Federally illegal by Gun Control Act of 1968 (because they're a "handgun" with smoothbore barrel), but a grandfather clause allows legal possession of examples made before the law changed (same as "Snake Charmer" shotshell pistols).

 

Just a few quick corrections about US firearms law:

 

The Gun Control act of 1968 did nothing to restrict the ownership of any particular type of weapon - it's main thrust was to restrict certain individuals from owning or posessing firearms (eg. convicted felons, aliens without visas, persons judged mentally incompetent, etc.) and with restricting certain imports.

 

The restrictions on short-barreled shotguns and rifles, machine-guns, smooth-bore pistols, silencers et. al. was the National Firearms Act of 1934 (pen guns, cane guns and other disguised firearms were specifically included in the restrictions). It did not contain a grandfather clause, as one of it's principle thrusts was to restrict firearms popular with the prohibition-era gangsters. It also did not outlaw these firearms, but imposed a tax and licensing system for the manufacture and sale of these items. It is legal in the US to own machine guns, short-barrelled shotguns, and silencers today, provided that owner pay a tax ($200) on transfer of title and have an extensive background check by the ATF, and the transfer of title can only be done through someone with a Class III Federal Firearms License.

 

There is an exception for "Antique" firearms, which covers most muzzle-loaders, as well as for firearms defined as "Curios and Relics" - though "Curios and Relics" are not automatically exempt from NFA status (eg. a WWII era machine-gun is considered a C&R firearm, but still requires tax and permitting as a an automatic weapon). I am not sure if a pen-gun of this nature would be exempted as a Curio and Relic or not - some short-barrelled rifles from the 1920s and 30s have gained Curio and Relic status and are exempted from the NFA classification, so a pen-gun that is older than 50 years old may be exempted as well.

 

Additionally, as mentioned, there are state laws that may be more restrictive and outright prohibit certain NFA firearms.

 

And I mention this simply to clarify the law in question and not to engage in debate over the pros and cons of any firearm restrictions - any debate of that nature is prohibited on the board (though I believe that additional clarification of the law is permitted).

 

John

So if you have a lot of ink,

You should get a Yink, I think.

 

- Dr Suess

 

Always looking for pens by Baird-North, Charles Ingersoll, and nibs marked "CHI"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one. I bought it for my wife (who was my girlfriend in 1967). She walked to college and there was a big, bad dog that wasn't leashed and caused her alarm. I tested the unit, and it fired nicely. Then I gave it to her and showed her how to use it, which she never did. She took a more humane approach and daily gave the dog a piece of her sandwich. The dog was happy, and she kept slim.

 

The reality is that she knew what worked for her.

Jerry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a 10 year old, I used to stay at a babysitter's house every day after school. She had a great old house, which she let me fully explore and play around in... One day, I was looking through a desk drawer in a spare bedroom, when I found a very unusual looking pen. When I clicked it, *BANG*! Explosion, dust, and I ran out of the room. I had no idea what I did. Baby sitter came running. Apparently, this was one of the described pens, she had from her college days. No adverse effects from the tear gas. :-) Maybe it was old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a 10 year old, I used to stay at a babysitter's house every day after school. She had a great old house, which she let me fully explore and play around in... One day, I was looking through a desk drawer in a spare bedroom, when I found a very unusual looking pen. When I clicked it, *BANG*! Explosion, dust, and I ran out of the room. I had no idea what I did. Baby sitter came running. Apparently, this was one of the described pens, she had from her college days. No adverse effects from the tear gas. :-) Maybe it was old.

 

 

that must have been one cool babysitter :notworthy1:

I'm a little hot potato right meow

"no they are not making littler ponies, they are EMBRACING"

I opened a box of cheerios and planted them. I thought they were doughnut seeds. They didn't sprout :( (joke of the week)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a 10 year old, I used to stay at a babysitter's house every day after school. She had a great old house, which she let me fully explore and play around in... One day, I was looking through a desk drawer in a spare bedroom, when I found a very unusual looking pen. When I clicked it, *BANG*! Explosion, dust, and I ran out of the room. I had no idea what I did. Baby sitter came running. Apparently, this was one of the described pens, she had from her college days. No adverse effects from the tear gas. :-) Maybe it was old.

 

 

that must have been one cool babysitter :notworthy1:

 

I'm not sure "cool" is the word I'd use for someone who doesn't unload a weapon when putting it away in a house where children will be (to clarify: I keep my guns loaded, but I don't have children in my house, ever). Just as with a blank gun, if the business had been pointed toward flesh, serious injury would likely have resulted.

Does not always write loving messages.

Does not always foot up columns correctly.

Does not always sign big checks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I just found an article concerning these things from 1929 on Modern Mechanix.

 

That's rather different from the pen gun in the original post; the Modern Mechanix article is about a dispenser for liquid tear gas, disguised as a pen, while the original posting was about what amounted to a blank gun (rather thinly disguised as a pen) sold with tear gas in powder form propelled by blank cartridges. I expect the liquid form to be much more effective, and far less hazardous to the user when the "pen" is actually used. Of course, there's the hazard of grabbing the wrong object from a purse or pocket and, instead of subduing an attacker with tear gas, merely marking them and their clothing with ink. Say, do you suppose this is where those dye packets now used for robberies originated?

Does not always write loving messages.

Does not always foot up columns correctly.

Does not always sign big checks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just found an article concerning these things from 1929 on Modern Mechanix.

 

That's rather different from the pen gun in the original post; the Modern Mechanix article is about a dispenser for liquid tear gas, disguised as a pen, while the original posting was about what amounted to a blank gun (rather thinly disguised as a pen) sold with tear gas in powder form propelled by blank cartridges. I expect the liquid form to be much more effective, and far less hazardous to the user when the "pen" is actually used. Of course, there's the hazard of grabbing the wrong object from a purse or pocket and, instead of subduing an attacker with tear gas, merely marking them and their clothing with ink. Say, do you suppose this is where those dye packets now used for robberies originated?

 

I can tell you that is not where they originated :P . I know the guy who invented them, and I am pretty sure he is not into firing fountain pens at people, even if they are robbing him.

 

Nkk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

a pen gun sure sounds interesting and I would not mind owning one, but I would not want to use one, they seem dangerous and I like having 10 fingers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

a pen gun sure sounds interesting and I would not mind owning one, but I would not want to use one, they seem dangerous and I like having 10 fingers.

 

Several years ago (okay, it was around 1980), I owned a flare gun that was sold as a "pen gun" -- it used the simple latch trigger found in YouTube "zip gun" videos, and the flare cartridges screwed into the end. When fired, they sounded rather like a medium caliber revolver going off (I'd say .38 Special, but a target load rather than a +P), but even with the very small, light gun, the recoil was manageable and it didn't seem any more dangerous than a small pistol-shaped flare gun would have been. Based on that experience, I'd say a pen gun that fired either actual cartridges (Federally restricted type of weapon) or one that fired gas cartridges (probably tarred with the same brush) shouldn't be terrible to fire.

 

BTW, I'm not sure how the flare gun I had got around Federal regs that would effectively ban a firearm of similar configuration, but it was apparently 100% legal; I bought mine in a sporting goods store, and they were still being sold at least as recently as four or five years ago.

Does not always write loving messages.

Does not always foot up columns correctly.

Does not always sign big checks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After reading this thread, I have a curiously strong impulse to get one of these; preferably one that emits a lurid purple gas, as I say "Gotham City will be mine! So long, Bat-Brain! Wacwacwacwac!"

Latest pen related post @ flounders-mindthots.blogspot.com : vintage Pilot Elite Pocket Pen review

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...
  • 1 month later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...