Presumably invented to deal with monsters like the Bogeyman before modern science proved they didn’t exist, this functional flashlight includes a .22 caliber seven-shot revolver on the business end. Perfect for peering under a dark bed and dealing with whatever’s hiding under there.
Another more accurate theory is that it was produced in the early 1920s by Buffalo-based S.P. Cottrell & Son for use by security guards and night watchmen as a quick way to deal with intruders as soon as they were spotted. And you thought that baseball bat flashlight was dangerous. At least you can run from that.
https://gizmodo.com/baseball-bat-flashlight-just-the-trick-for-beating-bac-5960168
[Collector eBooks via Neatorama via Pocket Pistols, Historic Firearms, & Curiosities]
