17 April, 2010

Item 2: The Æther-Modified Flintlock

Item 2: The Æther Modified Flintlock

The curators and archivists at the Victorian Mechanical Museum have returned from their annual spring sabbatical, and upon said return have provided us with one of our more impressive collection items.  This particular item is not entirely new to our online exhibition.  Geoffrey Hawkins is holding an Æther-Modified Flintlock in a cabinet card photograph that was previously featured as Collection Item 46.  We are very pleased to announce that an example of that firearm was discovered within the Hawkins Strongbox and has been designated Collection Item 2.

According to Devon Gillroy, Firearms Curator for the Victorian Mechanical Museum, the Æther-Modified Flintlock was one of the very first successful applications of an æther power cell.   Gillroy explains:
"Geoffrey Hawkins and Berkley Vanderzee created the first æther battery during the summer of 1875.  A few months later, Hawkins suggested to Vanderzee that they use an æther cell to be the power source in their particle beam experiments.  When the two scientists successfully created a working particle beam in January of 1877, Faylynne Hyperion in turn applied their prototype firing mechanism to the stock of a typical flintlock-style dueling pistol.  The Æther-Modified Flintlock discovered within the strongbox was a final refinement of those early experimental pieces and stands as history's first documented particle beam weapon."
Museum records indicate that Hawkins, Hyperion and Vanderzee produced a total of twelve Æther-Modified Flintlock pistols between 1877 and 1880.  The Museum has been attempting to restore one such firearm that was discovered in Kansas City in 1999.  The fates of the other ten pistols remain unknown, although one was rumored to have been seen among stored items at the British Museum as far back as 1968.

6 Observations:

Josh said...

Mr. Pepper,

Have noted lack of recent updates. Stop. Must see more. Stop. Please advise on future schedule. Stop

Batou said...

Dear Mr. Pepper,
As with Mr. Josh's observation, please do pass word when you are able to update your site, sir. The Strongbox was one of the jewels of Steampunk, and I for one, look forward to seeing its return!
v/r,
Dr. Rafael Fabre, Editor
The Steampunk Tribune

Jeffrey Pepper said...

Gentlemen--

Thank you for your very kind words of encouragement and support. I've had to take a lengthier sabbatical from Hawkins Strongbox than I originally anticipated. I'm am hoping to resume a more regular schedule of exhibitions sometime in early September.

Terry Abbott said...

Will be looking forward to the return of updates!!!!!

Lora said...

Gorgeous firearms which look perfectly suitable for every occasion and an absolutely sterling Blog to!

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