Some meteorites are made of high-nickel-content iron. These pistols have been machined out of solid stock, then etched to bring out the unique crystallization patterns of meteoric iron. Meteorites may have been the source of metal for the first iron weapons. Many legendary weapons, including Jim Bowie's knife, were made from, or included, meteoric iron. The nickel content made them stronger than plain iron weapons. The legendary sword Excaliber was said to have been "drawn from a stone." I suggest that this refers to the smithing process, where the smith "draws out" a shape from a billet of iron.