Saddam's golden gun

A GOLD-plated assault rifle, once carried by one of the late Saddam Hussein's palace guards, will go on display at the Australian War Memorial.
The eye-catching weapon was today handed by army deputy chief Major General John Cantwell to war memorial assistant director Nola Anderson today for permanent display in the new post-1945 gallery.
War Memorial senior curator Nick Fletcher said this is a fully functional Iraqi-manufactured Tabuk, a version of the ubiquitous Kalashnikov AK-47.

"The great attraction is that it's gold plated. It's a genuine full-on shiny gold gun," he said.
"I gather it's because it was one of the guns carried by Saddam's personal guard," he said.
"It's an interesting item. We think it's going to make a good exhibit. I think it says a few things about the excesses of the Saddam regime that will speak to people."
Just how many of these were made isn't clear. Mr Fletcher suggested perhaps a few hundred at most.
This one was found by soldiers of the US Army's 101st Air Assault Division in operations in the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

The Most Expensive Bike In The World

When this pedal of this bike hits metal — it strikes 24-karat gold. Scandinavian design team AURUMANIA (which means preoccupied with gold) debuted the Gold Bike last September, a luxury item touted as the world’s “most lavish and expensive bike.” Just 10 of the gold bikes were made and come outfitted with a hand-stitched, brown leather Brooks saddle. Oh, and each bike is “generously” bespeckled with more than 600 Swarovski crystals. The ticket for this ride only costs a little over $100,000.

Apple Gold 3G iPhone

This bullion beauty is the most decadent iPhone add-on since the $1,000 I Am Rich app. For two Gs, you can dress your 3G in a deliciously crass case that packs more karats than Bugs Bunny's lunch box (24 to be exact). But there's more to it than just dipping your mobile in molten shine like broccoli in Velveeta. Custom electronics maker Computer Choppers first coats the original plastic case in copper to patch any dings, then nickel-plates it to keep the copper from leaching into the gold finish. A notch in the base for the antenna guarantees reception. Available in yellow or rose gold, chrome, copper, or platinum. Just don't lose it!