The Pistol and its Songbird

January 25, 2016 1:10 PM

"In 2016, after twelve months of work, Parmigiani Fleurier has brought back to life a unique object" (SLVimeo)

Pullquote source

Restoration blog posts and videos

posted by mrjohnmuller (24 comments total)

The eyesight, dexterity, and patience required to do that type of restoration are so far beyond me it's laughable. That probably explains why I find it so fascinating.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 1:25 PM on January 25, 2016

You have got to be fucking kidding me.
posted by adamrice at 1:28 PM on January 25, 2016

Oh come on, a bejeweled gun is still a gun, a weapon, a killing machine, which we should not glorify in any wa--

*trigger is pulled*

I... I... stand corrected.
posted by gwint at 1:30 PM on January 25, 2016 [14 favorites]

In your face, /r/diy!
posted by chillmost at 1:39 PM on January 25, 2016

My niece and I have built something similar with Lego.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:42 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]

How awesome. And if you'd like a bit of fiction to sustain your delight.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 1:48 PM on January 25, 2016 [4 favorites]

A device to make you say
My word!
A lovely pistol and
A bird!
posted by Splunge at 1:56 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]

Songbird pistols previously, including this lovely comment from TheWhiteSkull.
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:02 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

This device was (I think) one of many featured in the program Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams written & presented by Prof. Simon Schaffer on BBC Four a few years ago. An absolutely wonderful program that I highly recommend if you’re willing to channel your inner pirate.
posted by pharm at 2:09 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

My daughter has an automaton dog that sings a variety of songs that include her name and the fact that she likes bananas. 15 bucks. Progress is a bitch.
posted by w0mbat at 2:11 PM on January 25, 2016

The Songbird Pistols weren't really getting anywhere until Malcolm Mclaren suggested they modify their name.

Seriously, what an object.I am generally cool about 3D printing, but once it gets this good I'll be prepared to explore the possibility of enthusiasm.
posted by Devonian at 2:18 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

ooooooooo
posted by The Whelk at 2:27 PM on January 25, 2016

I remember the Christie's auction a few years ago, it's a shame that video doesn't seem to exist anymore. I can't remember if those still sang?
posted by maryr at 2:52 PM on January 25, 2016

omg I'm crying..
posted by bird internet at 3:23 PM on January 25, 2016

eponymotional?
posted by OHenryPacey at 3:48 PM on January 25, 2016

Wow. Speechless.
posted by Dr Ew at 3:51 PM on January 25, 2016

This would be the perfect weapon for "The Wicked Pierrot" in Regency Batman.


Except his would shoot you after.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:23 PM on January 25, 2016 [1 favorite]

From the second link:

Restauration, or the art of re-establishing the former glory of an artifact by setting-it free from the torments of time

wow omg
posted by mhum at 5:18 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]

This brief video discusses the project, and shows more internals, some disassembled parts, CAD drawings they made, and a large model of the bird.
posted by achrise at 7:19 PM on January 25, 2016 [2 favorites]

I was expecting the bird to scream "BLAM!" and whip out a giant mallet.
posted by Lou Stuells at 8:34 PM on January 25, 2016 [3 favorites]

Just be sure when you're demonstrating that to your friends that you grab the jewel-encrusted pistol with a songbird in it and not the jewel-encrusted pistol with bullets in it.
posted by ckape at 12:03 AM on January 26, 2016 [1 favorite]

Pistol-birds don't tweet at people, people tweet at people....
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:09 AM on January 26, 2016 [1 favorite]

ckape: "Just be sure when you're demonstrating that to your friends that you grab the jewel-encrusted pistol with a songbird in it and not the jewel-encrusted pistol with bullets in it."

It fires Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love

Actually, upon reflection, perhaps the bird could sing this!
posted by symbioid at 9:27 AM on January 26, 2016

"No, I thought he was going to shoot me, but all he did was flip me the bird."
posted by The Bellman at 11:04 AM on January 26, 2016 [3 favorites]