Dear Adam,

We have something similar in our Police collection - used as an early form of truncheon (although, regrettably we have no date recorded for it). A quick flick through A Policeman's Lot : Mervyn A Mitton (London, 1985) describes them as flails, bludgeons or life-preservers. The ones he illustrates (p.63) are linked to the reign of George III, but they may have been in use longer, and are not always associated with the police.

Hope this helps.

Jill

From: Social History Curators Group email list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 May 2011 12:49
To: [log in to unmask]; Jill Holmen; [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SHCG-LIST] FW: Mystery item

This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message, your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the author of this message. ---------------

I've had an enquiry from a gentleman who would like an object identified, and hopefully someone on this wonderful list can help...?

The gentleman said, "This item is about 16ins in length the larger end the size of a man's clenched fist made out of a dark wood with the 2 peices joined by a peice of leather that has been doweled on both peices . It has been decoratively turned and has no visible damage to it."

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Adam

Adam Bell

Assistant Keeper

History

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

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