Pistol dueling

[5] In 1901, Dr. John Paul Devillers, a French target shooter, developed a wax bullet specifically designed to allow non-fatal or sport pistol dueling between opponents.

Devillers developed a mask to protect the face[5][6] and persuaded the French gun making firm Piot-Lepage to manufacture appropriate weapons.

[7] In 1904, he founded La Societé de l'Assaut au Pistolet,[8] effectively the first pistol sport dueling club.

By 1905, the club had over 100 members including Cosmo Duff Gordon, Walter Winans and Frances's ex-president Casimir-Perier.

The two competitors, would stand at a distance of twenty or twenty-five yards (18 or 23 meters) apart, each armed with a pistol carrying a single charge and wax bullet.