There has been some loose talk of late concerning messages written on projectiles due to the those put on the bullets/cartridges found in the Mauser rifle allegedly used to assassinate Charlie Kirk. I’ve seen comments claiming that this is a new thing, a new acceleration of political violence by “sending messages” against the enemies of the shooter. This is hogwash. This sort of thing has a long and glorious/inglorious history, depending upon how you choose to look at it.
In recent history, just as in World War II, we’ve seen messages chalked upon munitions in the Ukraine conflict just prior to sending them off to blow their intended victims to shreds. WWI it was done as well. There is a scene in “Blackadder Goes Forth” (set in the trenches of WW1) in which the loyal Baldrick is seen scratching something on a bullet. When Cpt. Blackadder asks him what he’s doing, Baldrick replies that he’s writing his own name on it. Under further questioning, Baldrick explains that he’s heard that everyone has a bullet with his name on it, and if said bullet is in his pocket there’s a much lower likelihood of him being killed by it. Blackadder replies “It’s the one marked ‘to whom it may concern’ which worries me.”
This practice of course goes way, way back, much further than merely the 20th Century. In fact the Romans used lead sling-shot (the shot, you know, what is literally “shot” from a “sling” a la David in the Old Testament) with comments such as “Take That” cast into the shot as the hot lead was poured into the mould.
We can go even further back than the Romans. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, famously had his eye shot out by an arrow during a battle (which he won). Legend has it that written on the shaft of the arrow was “For Philip’s Right Eye”.
So this sort of thing, writing hurtful comments on hurtful projectiles, is hardly new. Doubtless there has likewise been plenty of “magic” in the form of hexes and curses (or even blessings) placed upon projectiles as well. Hunters on the American Frontier were known to “hex” their bullets to help ensure accurate and effective shots from their long rifles, and I have absolutely no doubt that our distant ancestors did likewise with their own arrows, or even spears.
Whatever the weapon, the idea of adding a little extra “punch” to it by the magical properties of words has a long and colorful history.
I look it as a glorious history in battle, not so much with assassins.
"Hunters on the American Frontier were known to “hex” their bullets to help ensure accurate and effective shots from their long rifles..."
I didn't know this, Mr. Gordon, Ms. Nancy. Thank you for sharing this. 🫡