Grave robbers worked at night so as not to be seen, but this also meant that they may not see these guns mounted on a grave, and would probably not see the trip wires.
Several trip wires could be fitted to the trigger mechanism, running in different directions. This not only covered a wide area, but it also meant that any one of these wires could swivel the gun in the direction of the intruder. (h/t)
They were referred to as "Grave Guns" or "Cemetery Guns".
10 comments:
I'm guessing PETA wouldn't approve.
Since they are designed to kill or maim people, I suspect that nobody would care unless some protected group (Lesbians, transexuals, urban rioting minorities, etc. would be shot while robbing a grave)
So, there are some people dying to get into that grave? Sounds legit.
I want one for my grave...unless they burn me. Then it might go off and destroy the oven and leave me half cooked. I've been called "half baked" before. Is that what they were talking about?
I'm just imagining all the birds, squirrels, deer, stray dogs, etc. that would set the thing off far more regularly than humans. Heaven forbid we do anything for the sake of human dignity that might harm an animal.
Maybe. I suspect that these firearms were made in urban environments, and in the 1800's unless the body was buried deep, dogs could start digging for bones...today embalming makes the flesh inedible. It's all a matter of perspective.
If you opt for a sky burial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burial), there is no need to worry about weapons guarding the carcass.
How did I miss this opportunity to even a score, damn.
You can even reach out from beyond the grave to whack people who want to molest your carcass.
Some of those weapons have a futuristic look to them. How old are they?
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