In the late 19th to early 20th century when women were attempting to get the vote, some suffragettes used their hatpins to deadly effect. Some of the pins were up to 16 inches long and when a 105lb women was getting beaten up by a hired thug or cop who was attempting break up a suffragette rally she wouldn't go for a belly or backside. More than a few thugs ate steel in the chest. Instant lung collapse sometimes resulted and the authorities in some cities limited the hatpin to 9 inches. It was war for their rights and physical safety. The suffragettes knew it and wouldn't be intimidated or beaten without a fight.
Wow, you know a lot about the topic. I was born about the time they went out of vogue, but I remember a few stories. Well, maybe it’s not too late for a resurgence of the HAT!