Life, 1927-07-07 · page 3 of 42
Life — July 7, 1927 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily a Smith & Wesson revolver advertisement**, not political satire. The top quote claims revolvers promote "law and order" and "security." The image shows a silhouetted figure standing guard at night outside an isolated house—a domestic security scenario. The accompanying text uses melodramatic language ("vicious felon," "pathetic derelict") to argue that homeowners need revolvers for self-defense since "the law...cannot always be close at hand." S&W markets the revolver as the "safest, most dependable" home defense tool, noting their weapons originated "the safety idea in fire-arms over forty years ago." This is **commercial persuasion**, not editorial commentary—using fear-based messaging to sell weapons to civilians concerned about crime and home protection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
he revolver is an effective instrument in the promotion of law and order. It is an invaluable factor in the conservation of life and property and creates a feeling of security SSS SS aS Oa OPS OA OS OO RO IN i i i i PROTECTION OUTSIDE ...a solitary prowler fading into the The home of your heart's desire may be isolated | shadows of the night. Dim of outline, unrecog- on a distant lar Or snugly set in a hamlet, nizable of feature. Possibly only a pathetic dere- Or clustered among many in the teeming city. | lict; perhaps a surly tramp. Or 1, The re " . the law can only help you perhaps—either this one or the 2. A thee é vet ct your own when the law next to tread silently through the de"7"", metres er a t hand. In dire distress— starlit night—a vicious felon witha tthe m fre before there is time to summon crime record as black as: the en- aid—a means of immediate pro- veloping gloom. What mattersone (7M eetOn IS needed, = more outrage ? “ ; m wmitiiog a crime shout Keep the means of immediate pro- D f r 4 tection within your reach... the INSIDE ...a Home; and all that tenderest of words implies. Hap- piness. Peace. Contentment. The final realization of all a law-abiding family has struggled for, dreamed of, built up with tears and laughter safest, most dependable revolver “f for home defense. Smith &Wesson originated the safety idea in fire- arms over forty years ago. The 32 and 38 caliber S& W Safety make accidental discharge by adult or through the years of patient toil. child impossible. SPRINGFIELD, MASS., U.S.A. THE:> REVOLVE BR MANUFACTUB_E RN LIFE: Published Weekly b= #6 7 Orice. under act of Marct 7 a. $5.00. Vol. 90. No. 281. Joly 7, 1927 1 1 tase M “ Printed + Dept ¢ comicbooks.com