French Duels as Fakes.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XIII, 28 September 1901, Page 596

French Duels as Fakes.

A French journal has lx?en explain ing how it is duels so rarely result irt injuries to the combatants. It suggests that the bullets used are frequently composed of mercury and lead, which in weight and general appearance are almost perfect counterfeits except for a slightly silver shade and greasy touch. Though heavy and solid looking the first blow of the ramrod pulverizes them. All sorts of precautions are taken against this kind of deception. Pistols duels are never fought with revolvers or weapons requiring cartridges which do not present the necessary quantities, but such duels are fought with old fash ioned muzzle-loading pistols. Indeed, it is not unusual for seconds to agree on some celebrated “armurier” wh** shall furnish a sealed box of weapons containing two pistols sealed and certified. a number of similarly certified charges of powder and bullets. Trickery would, therefore, seem impossible In spite, however, of all these pre cautions the benevolent fraud goes on. There aie usually four seconds, two for each combatant. \s it is easier for two men to come to an under standing than four, the nair that have agreed to pre ven* bloodshed manage to take charge of the loading while their confreres are listening to the last nervous recommendations of the principals.