Circa 1890
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Specs:
Price $890 Sold
Pistol & Stand 7.8 lbs 13” W x 13” H x 5” D
- Gun only 3.2 lbs
Inventor:
Steam powered weapon designed by Bernard V. Maets, a little known but very prolific inventor of the 19th century.
Type and Function:
This pistol is one a series of prototypes of a weapon with tremendous penetration capability in most materials. No paper work or test firings were found with the pistol. The stand found with the piece was apparently made from a weapons charging station. A date on part of the weapon indicates that it was updated in 1908, but the basic piece is best dated to around 1890.
Attempts to fire the weapon since its 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 model was discovered in 2007 in the remains of Maets’ workshop during excavation. Numerous other complete pieces and parts where discovered with excavation continuing.
Principal Investigator:
This object has been recovered, studied and restored by Ed Kidera.
