Zackowitz pen gun?

[PrudentGT]

So I'm reading this case for evidence class and there's a description of the defendant's pen gun in a newspaper article written at the time (1930's New York). It goes like this: "[Police also] found . . . a device resembling a fountain pan which is both a revolver and a tear gas gun." I'm having trouble picturing this. Anybody have any more information about these things?

Citation is 254 NY 192, 172 NE 466 for anyone that's *that* interested...

 

[mp510]

I contend that your quote is incorrect. Here is the a quote that I found from the NY State Court Archives:

To that end they were allowed to prove that at the time of the encounter and at that [*196] of his arrest he had in his apartment, kept there in a radio box, three pistols and a tear-gas gun.

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/archives/p_zackowitz.htm

 

[1 old 0311]

They are usually refered to as 'zip guns.' Most are home made. They are NOT REVOLVERS. They are single shot. There is a company making them now. They are .22, and .25 caliber. Check gunbrooker for 'pen guns.'

 

[PrudentGT]

Kevin -- I assumed it was manufactured by some small, now-defunct unknown company, much like the gun that fits in the fist and is triggered by throwing a punch (the name escapes me). I'm familiar with zip guns, but the fact that it was referred to as a 'revolver' confused me, as zip guns are usually crude single-shot affairs.

mp -- you're right of course. I could have been a bit clearer. The quote was from a newspaper article published at the time, not from the case itself. Perhaps this was an early example of journalistic fear-mongering.

Thanks for all the responses!