peashooter85:The Billiard Ball Duel of 1843On September 4th, 1843 two men named Lefant and Melfant w
peashooter85:The Billiard Ball Duel of 1843On September 4th, 1843 two men named Lefant and Melfant were playing a friendly game of billiards in Maisonfort, France when they became embroiled in a dispute. Apparently the quarrel was so heated that a duel was demanded with satisfaction in gentlemanly blood. The insult must have been especially grave as the the duel was to commence immediately, however neither men had any weapons, neither pistols or swords. In light of this fact both men agreed instead to duel with the only weapons that were readily at hand; billiard balls.The men drew lots to decide who should throw first, with Melfant drawing the winning lot. They measured off twelve paces and when the signal was given to throw Melfant announced, “I am going to kill you at the first throw”, at which point Melfant threw his billiard ball, striking Lefant square on the forehead, fracturing his skull and killing him instantly. While Melfant won the duel, he would later be arrested and convicted of manslaughter. -- source link