Christmas shopping can be challenging.

Finding just the right present - especially for that loved one who ‘already has everything’ - can be a daunting task and the clock is seemingly accelerated as the big day approaches. Well, with two weeks to go, The Mexico Ledger may have a solution.Or more specifically, Coke Plant Antiques in downtown Mexico.

A real vampire hunting kit. 

During a recent visit to the store, co-owner Chris Miller had recently purchased the kit from a picker in the St. Louis area. And while the Internet is rife with modern-day knock-offs, this one appears to be the real deal. Housed in a wooden case complete with a silver skull on its lid, it has everything a young Van Helsing would need to challenge the undead. 

“I bought it about a month ago,” Miller said, adding it’s actually the second vampire kit he’s had during his years in the antique business. The other also came from the St. Louis area.

“In my 55 years in the business, it’s only the second one I’ve seen,” he said.

While the case is a sight to behold in itself, it’s the contents that are the real show-stoppers. There’s the silver dagger that is detailed with three crosses - the amount needed to make sure the vampire in question is vanquished. There’s a pair of crosses, each of which has a removable stopper where holy water can be placed and flung towards the opponent when the time comes. For those who are fans of vampire films, flinging holy water at the foe is an integral part of combat. 

In the center is a silver cross. It is believed this cross was designed to be hung on a bed or wall for a number of utilities - but possibly also as a component in exorcisms. Held within the cross is just one of many surprises in the kit: There is what is claimed to be a piece of the temple veil that ripped when Jesus Christ died. 

According to Miller, the kit had been in the same family for years and came out of what was once known as the Gaslight Square area.

All context clues point to a rich provenance, including the German Bible, silver gun powder flask, amethyst glass hold water flask, beads, crosses and caps - for an 1800s pepperbox gun.

And this is no regular pepperbox gun. Resting next to the piece is a set of silver-tipped darts, weighted with lead. Regular bullets don’t kill vampires, but silver-tipped darts just may do the trick.

With some quick research, it appears that some vampire kits were sold in Europe to wealthy tourists wanting a memento from their journey. Some of that interest was no doubt fueled by the release of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, published in 1897. Miller is estimating that the kit dates from the 1860s-1880s range in age. It’s been well-maintained and everything seems to fit just right in  its designated place. While it’s not known if the set saw any action in vampire battle, Missouri and St. Louis certainly have long been on the map for one of the most famous exorcisms of all, the 1949 real-life exorcism that would ultimately be captured in print and in film as The Exorcist.

“We were a hot spot,” Miller said.

People who get to see the kit are struck by its detail and quality of craft. When held, it certainly seems like it was truly meant for dealing with the undead.

And the cost? 

Coke Plant has it priced for $4,700. It’s truly a gift idea for the person who has everything.