diff --git a/doc/fixes35.0 b/doc/fixes35.0
index 835d4f18a..ccb4a09c9 100644
--- a/doc/fixes35.0
+++ b/doc/fixes35.0
@@ -194,6 +194,9 @@ if normal game save file is restored via `nethack -X', restore in normal
 	mode--with save file deletion--and require confirmation ala 'X'
 	command to make deferred switch into explore mode
 stethoscope applied to hiding mimic will bring it out of hiding
+rephrase "<artifact> evades your grasp" message if artifact is already held
+artifacts which subsequently evade your grasp/control after already being
+	worn or wielded become unworn/unwielded
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 6c1964002..99357a47d 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ E boolean FDECL(artifact_has_invprop, (struct obj *,UCHAR_P));
 E long FDECL(arti_cost, (struct obj *));
 E struct obj *FDECL(what_gives, (long *));
 E void FDECL(Sting_effects, (int));
+E int FDECL(retouch_object, (struct obj **,BOOLEAN_P));
 
 /* ### attrib.c ### */
 
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index b899937f7..3bb57f08c 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -2974,7 +2974,7 @@ doapply()
 	obj = getobj(class_list, "use or apply");
 	if(!obj) return 0;
 
-	if (obj->oartifact && !touch_artifact(obj, &youmonst))
+	if (!retouch_object(&obj, FALSE))
 	    return 1;	/* evading your grasp costs a turn; just be
 			   grateful that you don't drop it as well */
 
diff --git a/src/artifact.c b/src/artifact.c
index b0d3d610e..c38098f80 100644
--- a/src/artifact.c
+++ b/src/artifact.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/*	SCCS Id: @(#)artifact.c 3.5	2006/06/08	*/
+/*	SCCS Id: @(#)artifact.c 3.5	2007/03/05	*/
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
 
@@ -559,7 +559,12 @@ touch_artifact(obj,mon)
 
     /* can pick it up unless you're totally non-synch'd with the artifact */
     if (badclass && badalign && self_willed) {
-	if (yours) pline("%s your grasp!", Tobjnam(obj, "evade"));
+	if (yours) {
+	    if (obj->where != OBJ_INVENT)
+		pline("%s your grasp!", Tobjnam(obj, "evade"));
+	    else
+		pline("%s beyond your control!", Tobjnam(obj, "are"));
+	}
 	return 0;
     }
 
@@ -1200,11 +1205,11 @@ static NEARDATA const char invoke_types[] = { ALL_CLASSES, 0 };
 int
 doinvoke()
 {
-    register struct obj *obj;
+    struct obj *obj;
 
     obj = getobj(invoke_types, "invoke");
     if (!obj) return 0;
-    if (obj->oartifact && !touch_artifact(obj, &youmonst)) return 1;
+    if (!retouch_object(&obj, FALSE)) return 1;
     return arti_invoke(obj);
 }
 
@@ -1596,4 +1601,52 @@ int orc_count;
       }
 }
 
+/* called when hero is wielding/applying/invoking a carried item, or
+   after undergoing a transformation (alignment change, lycanthropy)
+   which might affect item access */
+int
+retouch_object(objp, loseit)
+struct obj **objp;	/* might be destroyed or unintentionally dropped */
+boolean loseit;		/* whether to drop it if hero can longer touch it */
+{
+    struct obj *obj = *objp;
+
+    if (touch_artifact(obj, &youmonst)) {
+	/* nothing to do if hero can successfully handle this object */
+	if (!(objects[obj->otyp].oc_material == SILVER &&
+		(u.ulycn >= LOW_PM || hates_silver(youmonst.data))))
+	    return 1;
+	/* we didn't get "<obj> evades your grasp" message; give alt message */
+	You_cant("handle %s anymore!", thesimpleoname(obj));
+    }
+
+    /* removing a worn item might result in loss of levitation,
+       dropping the hero onto a polymorph trap or into water or
+       lava and potentially dropping or destroying the item */
+    if (obj->owornmask) {
+	struct obj *otmp;
+
+	remove_worn_item(obj, FALSE);
+	for (otmp = invent; otmp; otmp = otmp->nobj)
+	    if (otmp == obj) break;
+	if (!otmp) *objp = obj = 0;
+    }
+
+    /* if we still have it and caller wants us to drop it, do so now */
+    if (loseit && obj) {
+	if (Levitation) {
+	    freeinv(obj);
+	    hitfloor(obj);
+	} else {
+	    /* dropx gives a message iff item lands on an altar */
+	    if (!IS_ALTAR(levl[u.ux][u.uy].typ))
+		pline("%s to the %s.",
+		      Tobjnam(obj, "drop"), surface(u.ux, u.uy));
+	    dropx(obj);
+	}
+	*objp = obj = 0;	/* no longer in inventory */
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
 /*artifact.c*/
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index 781f028dc..d67cf1da8 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -1152,11 +1152,9 @@ register int pm;
 	    break;
 	}
 
-	if (catch_lycanthropy && defends(AD_WERE, uwep)) {
-	    if (!touch_artifact(uwep, &youmonst)) {
-		dropx(uwep);
-		uwepgone();
-	    }
+	if (catch_lycanthropy) {
+	    if (u.twoweap) (void)retouch_object(&uswapwep, TRUE);
+	    if (uwep) (void)retouch_object(&uwep, TRUE);
 	}
 
 	return;
@@ -2250,7 +2248,7 @@ struct obj *otmp;
 int
 doeat()		/* generic "eat" command funtion (see cmd.c) */
 {
-	register struct obj *otmp;
+	struct obj *otmp;
 	int basenutrit;			/* nutrition of full item */
 	boolean dont_start = FALSE, nodelicious = FALSE;
 	
@@ -2276,7 +2274,8 @@ doeat()		/* generic "eat" command funtion (see cmd.c) */
 	 * mails, players who polymorph back to human in the middle of their
 	 * metallic meal, etc....
 	 */
-	if (otmp->oartifact && !touch_artifact(otmp, &youmonst)) {
+	if (!(carried(otmp) ? retouch_object(&otmp, FALSE) :
+			      touch_artifact(otmp, &youmonst))) {
 	    return 1;
 	} else if (!is_edible(otmp)) {
 	    You("cannot eat that!");
diff --git a/src/mhitu.c b/src/mhitu.c
index 29dc2b101..96eed6609 100644
--- a/src/mhitu.c
+++ b/src/mhitu.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/*	SCCS Id: @(#)mhitu.c	3.5	2006/08/07	*/
+/*	SCCS Id: @(#)mhitu.c	3.5	2007/03/09	*/
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
 
@@ -1230,6 +1230,8 @@ dopois:
 		    You_feel("feverish.");
 		    exercise(A_CON, FALSE);
 		    u.ulycn = monsndx(mdat);
+		    if (u.twoweap) (void)retouch_object(&uswapwep, TRUE);
+		    if (uwep) (void)retouch_object(&uwep, TRUE);
 		}
 		break;
 	    case AD_SGLD:
diff --git a/src/wield.c b/src/wield.c
index c0ac03192..0c5f9708f 100644
--- a/src/wield.c
+++ b/src/wield.c
@@ -150,11 +150,11 @@ struct obj *wep;
 	} else if (wep->otyp == CORPSE && cant_wield_corpse(wep)) {
 	    /* hero must have been life-saved to get here; use a turn */
 	    res++;	/* corpse won't be wielded */
-	} else if (uarms && bimanual(wep))
+	} else if (uarms && bimanual(wep)) {
 	    You("cannot wield a two-handed %s while wearing a shield.",
 		is_sword(wep) ? "sword" :
 		    wep->otyp == BATTLE_AXE ? "axe" : "weapon");
-	else if (wep->oartifact && !touch_artifact(wep, &youmonst)) {
+	} else if (!retouch_object(&wep, FALSE)) {
 	    res++;	/* takes a turn even though it doesn't get wielded */
 	} else {
 	    /* Weapon WILL be wielded after this point */