They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but everyone knows that's not a literal statement. In this case, however, it might be. The “pen” seen here is actually a single-shot pistol, which folds open like a Transformers toy to reveal a tiny trigger. It's called the Braverman Stinger, and it was produced by R.J. Braverman from approximately 1993 to 1997.

Despite the obscurity of this miniature firearm, its mechanism is interesting to say the least. It was supposedly designed with this folding mechanism in order to avoid being categorized as an AOW (“any other weapon”) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). By folding open at an angle before it can be fired, the ATF ruled that it resembled an actual firearm enough to be classified as an ordinary pistol. This makes it much easier to obtain than other disguised weapons, like cane guns — or it would, if more of these Braverman Stinger guns ever made it to the market before the parent company went out of business.

The Braverman Stinger was available in several calibers. .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. There was even a rare factory gold-plated model for the James Bond fans. Ian of the YouTube channel Forgotten Weapons got his hands on a .25 caliber model for the video below, and discusses the gun's interesting history and quirks. True to form, he also disassembles the gun and shows its functionality.

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Unfortunately, the pen gun above was up for auction, so it couldn't be fired. Based on other YouTube videos, they do in fact fire, but only about as well as you'd expect from a bent tube without a proper pistol grip, sights, or trigger. So, what do you think of this non-NFA pen gun? Is it a cool real-life spy gadget, or something that doesn't have much use beyond the silver screen?

Written by Patrick McCarthy