This is wat Gustav Schmitt wrote in 1923:
'I like to demonstrate the following accident at the shooting stand (the chamber is prepared), image 19, during pistol cleaning.
A (demonstrator) takes the previously loaded pistol 08 apart until barrel with housing and toggle (do not remove pin, housing, lock!):
He removes the loaded magazine, but leaves, without informing the onlookers, the cartridge in the chamber. When asked, most onlookers will state that the barrel (with housing and toggle) will not be dangerous. The demonstrator then slides this assembly into the retaining board and presses the tip of the sear, pretending that it is being cleaned: a shot will fire. The two targets F receive a stomach shot.
The more surprising the shot from the small pistol part is, the more convincing the impression of the danger of the pretended known weapon.
Building the retainer: (see image 19): On a table behind the housing a slate Q is nailed, to contain the recoil. Close on either side of the barrel and receiver 2 sets of nails (N) are placed to prevent a sideward movement of the barrel. The front pair is to prevent the barrel from moving upwards.The toggle is unharmful in this state.
This is not in line with the description that Sturgess gives in his book (surprise), Sturgess suggests that Schmitt used a blank, but Schmitt clearly states that he used a live round and that the hitting of 2 targets in the stomach area was a deliberate and important part of the impact of the demonstration.
|