Crossword Genius

Poor dear! Miss pistols? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

side arms

'pistols?' is the definition.
('side arm' can be a synonym of 'pistol')

'poor dear miss' is the wordplay.
'poor' indicates anagramming the letters.
'dear'+'miss'='dearmiss'
'dearmiss' with letters rearranged gives 'SIDE-ARMS'.

(Another definition for side arms that I've seen is " Misreads about pistols, daggers and weapons worn thus".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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