These stories first appeared in Hunt's Book of Weapons, an in-game collection of found documents curated by an unknown researcher. They are replicated here in their original format. This means that many of the stories are not presented chronologically, or in one grouping, and it is left to the reader to put together the puzzle pieces and determine to what extent they contain fact, fiction, or fable.
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Bornheim No. 3
BORNHEIM NO. 3. (See also, SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS) The
futuristic-looking Bornheim No. 3 was one of the first semi-automatic pistols,
featuring a five-round magazine. Named for a village incorporated into the city
of its design, the No. 3 only ever achieved limited commercial success as an
armament. Its designer, Louis Schmeisser, would go on to design many other more
successful and innovative firearms. As the number designates, this was the
third model, which was designed to compensate for certain shortcomings realized
at Swiss, German, and Belgian military trials. This featured a sturdier design
and stouter barrel, as well as an enhanced magazine which could be fed by
stripper-clip.
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Correspondence, Philip Huff Jones
Typewritten, original
February 13, 1895
Venerable Son,
I must advise you against taking up arms. Let the others do
that work. Your place is among those who plan, who organize. Sheriff Hardin is
of our cause; maintaining his friendship is of paramount importance. He's well connected,
and a good friend of the governor, whose support we also require. Do not
squander this opportunity by giving in to your violent passions. Your
disposition has led to nothing but trouble and will continue to do so if you
give it free reign.
As for the staff member of whom you spoke in your last
letter—do not be so quick to judge. Coward some may be, yet cowards too, play
their part. I think, perhaps, the bravest among us are those cowards who compel
themselves to act in spite of their fear. Take help where it is offered; never
underestimate the offer of a life.
But now to practical matters. R. has spoken to me of another
potential contact. A certain VC, already sympathetic to our cause, is in a
position to, should the relationship be handled correctly, supply an assortment
of firearms. Please write to him at your earliest convenience. I have included
his address, though no post will get through quickly in this storm.
Sincerely,
Your Father
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Correspondence, Philip Huff Jones
Typewritten, original
May 2, 1895
Esteemed Colleagues,
I take this opportunity to inform you that we will be
temporarily adding a new member to the asylum staff. Dr. Elwood Finch, an
expert in many psychological conditions and treatments, will be joining us for
the period of six months in order to treat 14 individually selected patients.
With many years' experience and a record of near-miraculous rehabilitations of
patients suffering from Chronic Mania, Delusions of Persecution,
Hallucinations, and Religious Mania, Dr. Finch will take on some of our most
difficult cases during his stay here.
Dr. Finch will be joining us in Jackson at the end of the
month. His charges will be moved into Building C and removed from all other
treatment programs. Below you will find a list of those Dr. Finch has chosen to
participate, based on our patient files. Those hands needed to move these
patients into their new quarters will be informed in the coming weeks. Enclosed
you will find your invitation to his welcome dinner on the night of his arrival
in Jackson.
In service,
Dr. Philip Huff Jones
Superintendent, Louisiana Asylum at Jackson
Bornheim No. 3 Incendiary Ammo
RN: Was it a good thing he escaped into the bayou? He met with a sorry fate,
for sure, but at least his final moments were spent according to his own whims.
If one's natural necessity for freedom and the pursuit of happiness can be
reduced to a "whim."
Bornheim No. 3 Match
BORNHEIM NO. 3 MATCH. (See also, BORNHEIM NO. 3, FIELD
MODIFICATIONS) The Bornheim No. 3 proved capable over medium distances, this
common high-precision modification was intended to capitalize on this. As can
be expected, the stock gives better stability, while retaining a light weight
and ease of mobility. The sights are enhanced to give clearer visibility.
Unlike other semi-automatic pistols, the carriage return on the Bornheim does
not operate vertically, giving better visibility between shots.
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Clipping from the New Orleans True Crescent
Author: Unknown
Newsprint, 4 x 8 in.
PHILIP HUFF JONES Jackson, Louisiana. Phillip Huff Jones was
found murdered in his office last night. Circumstances are currently treated as
suspicious. The speculation surrounding the controversies of this medical
practitioner will not have escaped the attention of our reader.
Two conflicting accounts, by way of a nurse and a doctor in
the employ of the asylum, who to protect their identity remain nameless, have
come to the premises of this newspaper. The nurse, having been alone on duty in
the East Wing at the time of the murder, had found herself at a loose end. As
the reader will remember, many of the patients were in a recent calamity
relieved of their residency of the asylum, and their lives. Thus, her duties
predisposed her to a good view of the office, where she said she saw Huff Jones
discussing matters with two women around the time of murder. Some time after,
she saw the light extinguished, and assumed he had turned in for the night
unusually early. The doctor's account disagrees wholeheartedly on this matter.
Occupying the office down the hall, afforded with a good view of Huff Jones
comings and goings, the doctor noted no one coming or leaving his room that
night. He reported hearing one gunshot, and swiftly entered the office upon
hearing a heavy thud. There, he noted the room absent, but for the deceased,
and a window pane smashed. Rushing into the grounds, he tells us he found a
homemade marksman's semi-automatic pistol discarded on the lawn, which he
promptly turned into the sheriff. A similar pistol was used earlier this year
in the inconclusive alleged assassination of historian Charles Gayarré.
Huff Jones was born November 8, 1855, near Jackson, LA.
Having studied medicine at Tulane University, Mr. Jones was appointed Assistant
Superintendent to his father, John Welch Jones, at the Louisiana Asylum at
Jackson in 1882, where he served for six years before replacing his father as
Super indent at the same institution. He is survived by his wife and four
children. It is not known, at this moment, who will succeed him at the asylum.
Bornheim No. 3 Silencer
BORNHEIM NO. 3 SILENCER (See also, BORNHEIM NO. 3) In hopes
of courting lost military contracts, this silencer modification was first
developed to combat complaints that the Bornheim No. 3's large magazine
encouraged wasting ammunition. Suppressed gunshot sounds did incentivize more
precise aiming due to the slightly reduced bullet power, but they also allowed
wielders to fire without betraying their position—thus making them even more
wasteful with their ammunition.
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Correspondence, Philip Huff Jones
Typewritten, carbon copy
June 9, 1895
Please remember that your reputation is your livelihood. If
you would like your paltry enterprise to last much longer than Caldwell's, you
must do better. I trust you are correct when you say some will appreciate the
addition of a silencer, but we are your true clientele, and you were very aware
of our demands when you wasted our time.
One of two things is about to happen. Indulge me as I
explain.
The first and finest of your options begins with an apology,
directly in response to this letter. It continues with the shipment of weapons
you agreed upon (delivered three days early) and ends with a commitment to
supply us with as many of your resources as we require—in writing.
If you reject this option and defy our will, then your name
will be dirt. You shall dwindle as a company until all your remaining customers
are filth-desperate for weapons at the desperately low prices you will be
selling. I and my friends have toppled far greater commercial enterprises than
yours, and you would do well to consider your response carefully.
If you fail to reply, then expect myself and a small army at
your doorstep within the month. And we shall not be so polite!
Philip Huff Jones, M.D.
Superintendent of the Louisiana State Asylum
Bornheim No. 3 High Velocity Ammo
RN: Salter's (further) descent cannot merely be explained by
natural psychological phenomena (if there is such a thing). The duress under
which Huff placed those in his care must have exacerbated whatever latent
potential there was—and was compounded when combined with the malignancy of the
Sculptor.
Bornheim No. 3 Extended
BORNHEIM NO. 3 EXTENDED. (See also, BORNHEIM NO. 3,
RETROFIT) This Bornheim No. 3 was slightly modified with the incorporation of
an extended magazine. The retrofit was realized as desirable as subsequent
models naturally incorporated their own larger magazines. This naturally
compliments a high rate of fire. Military trials were unsuccessful, citing the
fact that the large magazine encouraged wasting ammunition. Nevertheless, it
proved a popular and simple adaption.
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Journal of William Salter
Severe water damage; reconstructed by archivist
Unlined paper, 3x5 in.
1/10
Something walks this forest after dark. I have heard its
heavy, dragging steps as it circles the cabin. It has not tried to enter—perhaps
it has not noticed my presence. I tell myself it is some large animal, but then
I think of Huff's letters, and of what I have seen with my own eyes.
It had been several days since I left the cabin. Engrossed
in my work, I took little notice of the passing of time. I have been practicing
on small animals and then studying their wounds, and I could no longer stand
the smell of the blood. I ran out into the forest as if pursued. The air calmed
me, and I was able to think more clearly. I did not intend to stray far, or for
long. But even that, I see now, was a terrible mistake. I was not in my right
mind, if I could be said to possess such a thing in the first place. Ha!
I heard it long before I could see its sizeable silhouette. It stumbled and paced, giving the impression of confusion. I froze and ducked behind a fallen tree. The figure was shaped roughly like a man, though far larger. However, on his shoulders where his head should be, a mantle of enormous, writhing leeches. I must retire now. My hands shake to think of it again.
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