A number of the original players were 20th century types that arrived in Blackmoor thru something strange like the Bermuda Triangle. They arrived with some modern weapons and stuff. I think Wesley and Maker arrived in a small plane that crashed. I am not sure of the details any more, though.

I just bought the things from the elves. They were all called "magic Elven bangsticks" in Dave's Blackmoor, at least when we were visiting.