Solomon Is. Knuckle.

Duster

Here is a photograph of an interesting object which was sent to us in the last mail by a planter in the Solomon Island.

He says:— "One day recently, while inspecting the labour lines, I found a large knuckle duster, which I am sending you under separate cover. This gives you some idea of the lengths to which these so-called primitive natives will go. What chance has a white man against weapons of this sort, when he has to go unarmed amongst them?"

The weapon is made, apparently, of soapstone, and the serrated teeth are ground down to a fine edge. The article is 4¾in. broad by 3½in. deep and the idea, apparently, is that it is gripped in the palm of the hand in such a way that the sharp serrated edge can be brought down with a chopping motion. There are dark stains, apparently of blood, on the surface of the interesting object.