Two Transportation Security Administration officers uncovered a surprising item in a piece of luggage that looked more like a prop from a movie than something to pack for a trip.
"The item resembled a mix between Wolverine-style claws and Freddy Krueger blades," the TSA said.
Photos of the object show what appears to be a brass knuckles-style weapon with three long blades affixed. It was found in a carry-on bag at a security checkpoint at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, TSA said.
TSA officers said they'd never seen anything like it.
"I saw three blades and distinct claw-like features," said Douglas Linn, the officer who first spotted it on an X-ray machine. "I was amazed, and even more so when it came out of the bag. I have never seen anything
like this during my two years at TSA."
After Linn spotted the claw-like item, Officer Dennis Oishi conducted a bag search. When Oishi asked the passenger if there was anything sharp in his bag, he said he wasn't sure, Responding Supervisory TSA Officer Ann Rhoades said.
"Obviously, there was," Rhoades said.
Rhoades, too, said it was unlike anything seen in seven years on the job.
"The passenger immediately remembered the items after Oishi removed them from the bag and voluntarily abandoned them at the checkpoint," TSA said in a statement.
Linn and Oishi were hailed for recognizing a potentially dangerous weapon and preventing it from making it through security.
"Not a Marvel-ous idea in your carry-on bag. Adamantium-tally our SEA officers were amazed to see this image roll across their X-ray screen. Please pack all mutant blades in a checked bag," TSA said.
Wolverine is a character in the Marvel comics and films with retractable claws made of a fictional, nearly indestructible metal called adamantium.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Mutant blades' go in checked bags only, TSA says. See surprising find
