Indiana Library Finds Gun In Hollowed-out Book

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 29, 2012 4:20PM

Rick Drew

Library employees in Valparaiso, Ind., found a historic-looking handgun inside a donated library book that had been hollowed out. Because the library doesn't maintain records on its donors, workers and authorities are stumped as to the origin.

The Northwest Indiana Times writes:

"Somebody just opened it up and said, 'Oh my,' " said Assistant Library Director Phyllis Nelson.

The weapon was described by police as a gold, wooden handle, A.S.M. brand, .31-caliber, single shot, black powder gun.

See the NWITimes for a photo of the gun. The book was Outerbridge Reach, a 1992 novel by Robert Stone described as a "towering story about a man pitting himself against the sea, against society, and against himself."