A 19-year-old woman smuggled a loaded gun into a jail hidden inside her vagina, according to police in the US.

Officers say Dallas Archer was arrested earlier this week on a charge of driving on a suspended licence.

A police report says a search at a Tennessee jail turned up a loaded North American Arms 22-caliber mini revolver inside the woman.

Archer was searched by two female officers in a bathroom, when they found the 4-inch weapon hidden inside her vagina.

A computer check later revealed that the weapon had been stolen.

Its 70-year-old owner, John Souther, told The Smoking Gun website he would like the "little fellow returned", but added the weapon would require "a bath in bleach".

Archer is charged with possession of stolen property, illegal possession of a firearm and introducing contraband into the jail.

•Credit: Text, London Evening Standard; Photo of Dallas Archer, AP.