Private protection from sham firearm? (8)
I believe the answer is:
codpiece
'private protection' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'sham firearm?' is the wordplay.
'sham' becomes 'cod' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'firearm?' becomes 'piece' ('piece' can be a synonym of 'firearm').
'cod'+'piece'='CODPIECE'
'from' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for codpiece that I've seen before include "Medieval male accoutrement for the nether regions" , "men put on centuries ago" , "Male dress item of former times" , "for promotion of virility?" , "What kept privates in place" .)