cropped detail of photograph in the link below. Mr. the Kid on left
Croquet amongst the lawless... actually interesting story of discovery of genuine photograph of Billy the Kid and gang at leisure, authenticated. I certainly do not endorse murderers, but the story is sufficiently interesting for the annals of Americana photography history to warrant a forthcoming National Geographic special narrated by Kevin Costner. Click LINK *My better half Mr. Twister just commented, "Armed croquet is a very scary idea. It's already a violent game. They probably shot each other at the end...."
I should add croquet is not genteel the way some of us play it. One of my chums broke a mallet over an opponent's head. Spiking opponents' balls entirely out of the pitch with all your might on every other turn almost compares with use of flamingos and hedgehogs a la Alice in Wonderland...
* https://madmimi.com/p/0867c6?fe=1&pact=33697842892