In:
Journal of Forensic Sciences, Wiley, Vol. 54, No. 2 ( 2009-03), p. 408-410
Abstract:
Abstract: Authentic black‐powder muzzle‐loader weapons or replicas are used today primarily for re‐enactments of historic battles. A lay actor playing the role of a Prussian infantryman sustained life‐threatening gunshot injuries during a recent re‐enactment of a historic battle of the Sixth Coalition. As only blank historic muzzle‐loading weaponry was used, the origin of the missile causing the wounding was initially unclear. Further investigation revealed a ramrod that had been propelled out of the barrel of another gunner’s smooth‐bore gun as cause of injury. The ramrod was hurled on a trajectory of more than 20 m, breaking the victim’s shouldered barrel and hitting the victim resulting in severe abdominal, thoracic, and upper limb injuries. The critical incidents while handling muzzle‐loading weaponry leading to premature discharge are elucidated. Furthermore, this report demonstrates how actual diagnostics and subsequent surgical treatment enabled this infantryman to survive an injury to which his comrades‐in‐arms would have succumbed 200 years ago.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1198
,
1556-4029
DOI:
10.1111/jfo.2009.54.issue-2
DOI:
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00957.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2026357-0
SSG:
2,1
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