brass knuckles

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Classic pattern brass knuckles

Brass knuckles, also sometimes called knuckles, knucks, brass knucks, or knuckle dusters, are weapons used in hand-to-hand combat. Brass knuckles are pieces of metal, usually steel despite their name, shaped to fit around the knuckles. Designed to deliver the force of punches through a smaller and harder contact area, they result in greater tissue disruption and increased likelihood of fracturing the victim's bones on impact. The design also allows for the force of the punch to be distributed along the palm across a greater area so the fingers are not damaged.

History and variations

Knuckle dusters were incorporated into the so-called Apache revolvers used by criminals in France in the early 1900s.^[1]

Legality and distribution

In Canada, brass knuckles or any similar devices are listed as prohibited weapons,^[2] and possession of such weapon is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.^[3] In France, however, purchase and possession of brass knuckles is legal for 16 year-olds with parental permission, and are freely sold to people of legal age.^{[citation needed]} The French term is 'un coup-de-poing américan', literally 'an American punch'.^[4]

Brass knuckles can normally be purchased at flea markets, swap meets, and some sword and weapon shops.^{[original research?]} Due to a shady reputation they are often sold as in at least one case, affixed with a detachable screw allowing them to be sold as a belt buckle.^[5] Devices that are made of hardened plastic, rather than metal, exist. Some are marketed as "undetectable by airport metal detectors."^[6]

Other varieties

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Common varieties include spiked knuckles, "maiden's fingers," "fat boys," "wedding rings," brass knuckles with various "imprintable" images on the knuckles (longhorn steer, lions, skulls, etc), and even "knuckle-knives." Spiked knuckles in particular are among the most vicious variety of brass knuckles, as they not only can shatter bone into fragments but will shred tissue. The length of the spikes varies from as small as a quarter of an inch to up to six inches.^{[citation needed]} Shorter spikes emphasize the impact of the brass knuckle on bone, while longer blades are used solely to inflict soft-tissue damage.^{[original research?]}

See also

• Cestus
• Weighted-knuckle gloves
• Tekko

References

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