The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 39, March 1894: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 39, March 1894: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
The collection of revolvers is unique in its way, and they are arranged
about the walls of the museum with a decided eye to effect. They
comprise weapons of every type and pattern. The two specially selected
which appear above a very formidable dagger, evidently of Eastern
manufacture--have their own peculiar history. The small one is the
centre of attraction amongst a strange group of relics, consisting of
a pair of links, the clasp of a purse, a little piece of steel which
fitted inside a bracelet, and even a piece of a heel-tip. The heel-tip
corresponded with the footprints of a suspected man, and, together with
the remains of the trinkets, helped to bring a verdict of "Guilty." All
these are associated with the Muswell Hill burglary in January, 1889.
The revolver was used by one of three men--who were all subsequently
sentenced to penal servitude for life--for shooting at Mr. Atkins.
[Illustration: SHUTTER-CUTTER.]
The larger revolver--which has an exceptionally heavy central
fire--belonged to a top-hat shooter. On July 18th, 1884, a burglary
was attempted at Hoxton. The police chased the burglars over the
roofs of the houses, and a worthy named Wright, who had attempted to
make himself look highly respectable in a silk hat, amused himself by
clinging to a chimney-pot with one arm and using the other to practise
firing with--the targets being the constables. Mr. Wright is not likely
to play at this very risky pastime again. He is Her Majesty's guest
for life in a palatial residence specially constructed for dispensing
hospitality to such gentlemen.
[Illustration: REVOLVERS AND DAGGER]
The life-preservers are interesting. They hang in a delicious group
just by the window. They are of all sorts and sizes. One swings on a
piece of thick cord heavily loaded; another is made of rhinoceros hide.
A pretty little invention in these specialities doubles up and fits the
waistcoat pocket, the more popular example being made out of a piece
of cord twisted round a short cane with a lead shot at both ends. The
life-preservers have a curious companion--a pair of coverings, very
rudely made out of coarse linen, for the feet, which the burglar puts
over his boots out of thoughtful consideration for the slumbers of his
victims.
[Illustration: LIFE-PRESERVERS AND BOOT COVERS.]
[Illustration: THE NEW NORTH ROAD MASK.]
The disguises used--and treasured at New Scotland Yard--chiefly
consist of false whiskers and beards. They are all made of dark crêpe
hair and fastened to wires, which fit over the ear and keep them in
position. The most original idea for concealing the face, however,
is given a prominent place near the board on which are arranged the
before-mentioned complete set of tools. It consists of a hard, black
hat, attached to which is a piece of black American cloth with openings
to give sight, cut very much to the size of old-fashioned goggles. This
is fastened round the chin with a piece of cord.
[Illustration: BEARDS, WHISKERS, ETC.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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