Circa 1890
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Specs:
Price $890 Sold
Pistols & Case 14.6 lbs 13” W x 2” H x 11” D
Inventor:
Steam powered weapons designed by Bernard V. Maets, a little known but very prolific inventor of the 19th century. The pistols are brass and steel. Maets also made the case out of steel.
Type and Function:
Designed as a set and very similar, but not identical, the pistols are single shot. The steel case is lined and fitted to the two pistols. It also includes a pressure gauge for charging, two extra steam cylinders (empty), and a compass. They compass was used with the emblem on the top of the case for setting up “proper” duels.
Attempts to fire the weapons since their discovery have failed. The exact liquid used to create the steam is a secret that has eluded all investigators. Other prototypes have likewise been limited in their functionality due to lack of information on the exact liquid used by Maets in most of his inventions.
Recovery Site:
This case and pistol set was discovered in 2005 in Australia, in a small cafe, where they were on display. The are a number of stories as to how they got to Australia.
Principal Investigator:
This object has been studied and restored by Ed Kidera.
