Murder weapon

The daily report book of Penzance Prison could also be seen at Penlee Museum. The open pages on show made very interesting reading.

This weapon: the gun was removed from Penlee House museum in 1972; it was then taken to Exeter Police Museum; the statement is that this is the gun used by James Hawke in 1886, in murdering three people, namely Mr and Mrs Uren and Mrs Gerrard (wife of the jeweller); Mrs Uren was the sister of James Hawke; Mr James Hawke then shot himself; Mr Gerrard was the only witness at the inquest; None of the events were properly investgated or reported; All that was ascertained was that Mr Gerrard had managed by running and weaving to avoid the bullets intended for him; Mr Hawke's neice Clara was also reported as 'involved' but was not called; the incident took place at Cottage Row off the Promenade.

@ Treeve, many thanks for getting the story straight...

Wished I'd seen it, I have a love for firearms...not in a sadistic form. I was left a lovely 12bore by my dad many years ago, a beautiful gun which started my love for them, I then had a couple of 12 bore's 4.10's etc. and still have a couple of replicas ie. 357 magnum a police special. Also I had a friend who had several firearms. I know they are wepons of destruction, but, they are also a part of our heritage in relation to hunter gatherers, but as usual they were abused by many.

I used to have an interest in old guns and the patterning on the butt, as well as the firing mechanisms, etc. Incredible pieces of engineering, but ultimately there is only one fixed and underlying purpose in them and that is to take life; there are those that argue for their defensive role, but it is still for the purpose of taking life.
They are a representation of Man's achievements in engineering and visual design, as well as the mastery of craftsmanship. But it is ultimately, for me, the representation of the darker side of human behaviour and Man's military struggles. As to hunter gatherers, just as easy to go to Iceland and get it out of the freezer, no feathers or skinning to do. Boom boom....