See quotations [1842] and 1876.
1842. Davis’s companion struck him three violent blows with a slung-shot over the head.—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Aug. 29.
[1842. One of them, with a bullet slung in a handkerchief, which he had before used, struck him over the head.—Id., Oct. 21.]
1848. No man shall be admitted, and whoever attempts to force his way shall receive a silent slung-shot or a pistol-ball.—Charles F. Briggs, ‘Asmodeus,’ p. 32 (N.Y.).
1850. One of us can knock, and when the door is opened, if he is alone, a blow from a slung-shot or crowbar will silence him for ever, and then we can consume the remainder of the night in removing the gold, and do it without any danger to ourselves…. Extending his hand, Old Sisk received from his Captain a leather strap some two feet in length, with a heavy ball of lead neatly sewed in one end, called a “slung-shot,” muttering, as he held it up to examine it more closely by the dim light of the stars, “’Tis a coward’s weapon, but certain death!”—James Weir, ‘Lonz Powers,’ i. 220, 302.
1855. Dr. Wood struck Mr. C., with a piece of iron, or a slung shot, upon his head, cutting a deep gash in it.—Sara Robinson, ‘Kansas,’ p. 76 (1857).
1858. The electors [in Baltimore] are shot down or knocked down with slung-shot, as they go to deposit their ballots.—Mr. Hatch of New York in the House of Repr., Feb. 16: Cong. Globe, p. 731, App.
1876. A plot was discovered among the prisoners to co-operate in this scheme, and a large number of knives and slung-shot (made by putting stones into woolen stockings) were detected in places of concealment about their quarters.—‘Southern Hist. Soc. Papers,’ i. 141.
