subs. (old).—1. A pistol (GROSE). Also (2) = a castanet; and (3) = a cracker bonbon.
1577. W. HARRISON, The Description of England [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, ii. 2. Amongst the new substantives are SNAPPER (pistol) butt-end …].
1615. G. SANDYS, A Relation of a Journey, 172. Their musicke is answerable; the instruments no other then SNAPPERS, gingles, and round-bottomd drums.
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Wedding-day.’ And nasty French lucifer SNAPPERS with mottoes.
4. (American).—A braggart: also SNAPPERHEAD.
THE SNAPPERS, subs. phr. (military).—The East Yorkshire Regiment, formerly The 15th Foot. Also “The Poona Guards.”
