diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 63e98a677..de4802bd8 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ extern boolean can_make_bones(void);
 extern void savebones(int, time_t, struct obj *);
 extern int getbones(void);
 extern boolean bones_include_name(const char *);
+extern void fix_ghostly_obj(struct obj *);
 
 /* ### botl.c ### */
 
diff --git a/include/obj.h b/include/obj.h
index f25f6ff13..5a8de9a7a 100644
--- a/include/obj.h
+++ b/include/obj.h
@@ -137,15 +137,16 @@ struct obj {
                           * and for horn of plenty (when tipping) even though
                           * they have no locks */
     Bitfield(pickup_prev, 1); /* was picked up previously */
+    Bitfield(ghostly, 1); /* it just got placed into a bones file */
 #if 0
     /* not implemented */
     Bitfield(tknown, 1); /* trap status known for chests */
     Bitfield(eknown, 1); /* effect known for wands zapped or rings worn when
                           * not seen yet after being picked up while blind
                           * [maybe for remaining stack of used potion too] */
-    /* 1 free bit */
+    /* 0 free bits */
 #else
-    /* 3 free bits */
+    /* 2 free bits */
 #endif
 
     int corpsenm;         /* type of corpse is mons[corpsenm] */
diff --git a/src/bones.c b/src/bones.c
index 063adbb21..0abdb4000 100644
--- a/src/bones.c
+++ b/src/bones.c
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ static void resetobjs(struct obj *, boolean);
 static void give_to_nearby_mon(struct obj *, coordxy, coordxy);
 static boolean fixuporacle(struct monst *);
 static void remove_mon_from_bones(struct monst *);
+static void set_ghostly_objlist(struct obj *objchain);
 
 static boolean
 no_bones_level(d_level *lev)
@@ -448,6 +449,7 @@ savebones(int how, time_t when, struct obj *corpse)
     for (f = gf.ffruit; f; f = f->nextf)
         f->fid = -f->fid;
 
+    set_ghostly_objlist(gi.invent);
     /* dispose of your possessions, usually cursed */
     if (u.ugrave_arise == (NON_PM - 1)) {
         struct obj *otmp;
@@ -503,6 +505,7 @@ savebones(int how, time_t when, struct obj *corpse)
         mtmp->msleeping = 1;
     }
     for (mtmp = fmon; mtmp; mtmp = mtmp->nmon) {
+        set_ghostly_objlist(mtmp->minvent);
         resetobjs(mtmp->minvent, FALSE);
         /* do not zero out m_ids for bones levels any more */
         mtmp->mlstmv = 0L;
@@ -515,7 +518,9 @@ savebones(int how, time_t when, struct obj *corpse)
         ttmp->madeby_u = 0;
         ttmp->tseen = unhideable_trap(ttmp->ttyp);
     }
+    set_ghostly_objlist(fobj);
     resetobjs(fobj, FALSE);
+    set_ghostly_objlist(gl.level.buriedobjlist);
     resetobjs(gl.level.buriedobjlist, FALSE);
 
     /* Hero is no longer on the map. */
@@ -722,4 +727,39 @@ bones_include_name(const char *name)
     return FALSE;
 }
 
+/* set the ghostly bit in a list of objects */
+static void
+set_ghostly_objlist(struct obj *objchain)
+{
+    while (objchain) {
+        objchain->ghostly = 1;
+        objchain = objchain->nobj;
+    }
+}
+
+/* This is called when a marked object from a bones file is picked-up.
+   Some could result in a message, and the obj->ghostly flag is always
+   cleared. obj->ghostly has no other usage at this time. */
+void
+fix_ghostly_obj(struct obj *obj)
+{
+    if (!obj->ghostly)
+        return;
+    switch(obj->otyp) {
+        /* asymetrical weapons */
+        case BOW:
+        case ELVEN_BOW:
+        case ORCISH_BOW:
+        case YUMI:
+        case BOOMERANG:
+            You("make adjustments to %s to suit your %s hand.",
+                the(xname(obj)),
+                URIGHTY ? "right" : "left");
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+    }
+    obj->ghostly = 0;
+}
+
 /*bones.c*/
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 1f96bff7d..f1d0a733c 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -1790,6 +1790,8 @@ pickup_object(
     if (uwep && uwep == obj)
         gm.mrg_to_wielded = TRUE;
     pickup_prinv(obj, count, "lifting");
+    if (obj->ghostly)
+        fix_ghostly_obj(obj);
     gm.mrg_to_wielded = FALSE;
     return 1;
 }
diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index fbe786802..0a66af4da 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -4011,7 +4011,8 @@ boomhit(struct obj *obj, coordxy dx, coordxy dy)
     register int i, ct;
     int boom; /* showsym[] index  */
     struct monst *mtmp;
-    boolean counterclockwise = TRUE; /* right-handed throw */
+    boolean counterclockwise = URIGHTY; /* URIGHTY = right-handed throw
+                                           else ULEFTY = left-handed throw */
 
     /* counterclockwise traversal patterns:
      *  ..........................54.................................