What about this;
Items are given out at game start, along with roles (just basic roles, like Werewolf and Villager). Noone is told exactly what these items do, but some are obvious (you kill people with a knife or a gun) some are not (what possible use could a spyglass have?). It is then up to the player to figure out what the item does and send in orders regarding it. There is no set-in-stone order, you send in an order of what you think should be done with it (maybe use the spyglass to watch <player> during the night).
Items can be traded between players, and you'd have items that are only usable with other items, like a revolver needing bullets, a blunted knife needing a whetstone to sharpen it (otherwise your victim might get away), etc. Also, specialized roles are given out that show you how to use some items properly, like bandages for a doctor, which can be used to save a person, or a "Sharpshooter" being able to use a rifle with accuracy and pick off a victim from a position of stealth (so, a gun would be noisy, attract lots of attention, and so the killers name would be known, while the Sharpshooter with a rifle could stealth-kill players).
What do you think?