South Seas club?

Jim McDougall · 9th April 2025, 04:18 PM

Going through all I can find on police billy clubs, night sticks, etc. not referenced in use before c. 1848; by 1956 called policemans club. As far as I can see these were notably shorter and while the carved furrows at the handle are compellingly similar to those on these shorter batons , no evidence of the enlarged cylindrical head area.

Back to tribal.

Edster · 9th April 2025, 06:55 PM

Tim,

Could this be a tool for mashing food stuffs in a container? The barrel end looks too small to be a useful striking surface at the specific range.

Just a guess,
Ed

Tim Simmons · 9th April 2025, 07:40 PM

Could easy mash your face and head.

Jim McDougall · 9th April 2025, 09:00 PM

Remember the old rolling pin gag?

Edster · 9th April 2025, 10:21 PM

See photos. If it looks like a duck...Can be used several ways.

African
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...3-c-4544fe2950

Japanese
https://www.etsy.com/listing/7393610...n-rice-pounder
Ed

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2025, 02:55 PM

Has good grip handle to swing it that's for sure.

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2025, 05:09 PM

Jim's reference to a police billy club got me thinking about the ww2 forces in what was still the New Hebrides. The USA forces had a great influence on the Islanders so much so that it lead to cargo cults. Today there is the John Frum cult, a believe in practice originating from the USA war supplies. I do wonder if it may have a bearing on the form of this club. Somebody has a collection of USA military police clubs? Not just USA military police where stationed in the New Hebrides.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVD8eLvig_I

9th April 2025, 10:21 PM	#5
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	See photos. If it looks like a duck...Can be used several ways. African https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...3-c-4544fe2950 Japanese https://www.etsy.com/listing/7393610...n-rice-pounder Ed Last edited by Edster; 9th April 2025 at 10:27 PM. Reason: added Japanese example

10th April 2025, 05:09 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	Jim's reference to a police billy club got me thinking about the ww2 forces in what was still the New Hebrides. The USA forces had a great influence on the Islanders so much so that it lead to cargo cults. Today there is the John Frum cult, a believe in practice originating from the USA war supplies. I do wonder if it may have a bearing on the form of this club. Somebody has a collection of USA military police clubs? Not just USA military police where stationed in the New Hebrides. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVD8eLvig_I Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th April 2025 at 06:21 PM.

9th April 2025, 04:18 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,662	Going through all I can find on police billy clubs, night sticks, etc. not referenced in use before c. 1848; by 1956 called policemans club. As far as I can see these were notably shorter and while the carved furrows at the handle are compellingly similar to those on these shorter batons , no evidence of the enlarged cylindrical head area. Back to tribal.

9th April 2025, 06:55 PM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	Tim, Could this be a tool for mashing food stuffs in a container? The barrel end looks too small to be a useful striking surface at the specific range. Just a guess, Ed

9th April 2025, 07:40 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	Could easy mash your face and head.

9th April 2025, 09:00 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,662	Remember the old rolling pin gag?

10th April 2025, 02:55 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	Has good grip handle to swing it that's for sure.