31
18th/19th century cemetery gun
Estimate:
€1,000 - €1,500
Starting Bid:
€750
Timed Auction
The Eclectic Collector
Description
Description: Flintlock. Rare.
Note: The cemetery guns kept body snatchers away from cemetery grounds and discouraged them from digging up dead bodies. The gun would be set near the foot of the grave and a series of tripwires would swing the gun in the appropriate direction when triggered, and fire upon the unsuspecting thieves. The gun would be set up each evening by the graveyard staff and disengaged every morning. The need for such an elaborate arrangement for the protection of the dead arose in the 18th century when cadavers were in high demand in medical schools but short in supply. Back then, the only legal supply of corpses were those condemned to death and dissection by the courts.
Note: The cemetery guns kept body snatchers away from cemetery grounds and discouraged them from digging up dead bodies. The gun would be set near the foot of the grave and a series of tripwires would swing the gun in the appropriate direction when triggered, and fire upon the unsuspecting thieves. The gun would be set up each evening by the graveyard staff and disengaged every morning. The need for such an elaborate arrangement for the protection of the dead arose in the 18th century when cadavers were in high demand in medical schools but short in supply. Back then, the only legal supply of corpses were those condemned to death and dissection by the courts.
Condition
Corroded, but could restore well.
