Old Lead headed 'billy' club?

colin henshaw · 2nd August 2009, 01:10 PM

Hi

I think this is an instrument that was used in plumbing work (during the time when water pipes were made from lead).

Regards

broadaxe · 2nd August 2009, 01:33 PM

This is a throwing stick supposedly made for hunting small game like rabbits, squirrels etc.
Late 19th to early 20th century England & Ireland.

kronckew · 2nd August 2009, 05:01 PM

my guess, a trench mace/club

shaft looks like rattan, zillions of similar ones were made for trench warfare in ww1, wooden haft with a simple poured lead head, sometimes all covered in leather, with a wrapped grip and lanyard. much handier, and also cheaper than a sword or bayonetted rifle. some had spikes.

Trench raiding clubs were homemade mêlée weapons used by both the Allies and the Central Powers during World War I. Clubs were used during night-time trench raiding expeditions as a quiet and effective way of killing or wounding enemy soldiers. The clubs were usually made out of wood. It was common practice to fix a metal object at the striking end (eg. an empty mills bomb) in order to maximize the injury inflicted. Another common design comprised a simple stave with the end drilled out and a lead weight inserted, with rows of large hobnails hammered in around its circumference. Most designs had some form of cord or leather strap at the end to wrap around the user's wrist.

Trench clubs were manufactured in bulk by units based behind the lines. Typically, regimental carpenters and metal workers would make large numbers of the same design of club.

They were generally used along with other "quiet" weapons such as trench knives, hatchets and pick-axe handles - backed up with revolvers and grenades.

a somewhat nastier version with a cast iron head

Atlantia · 2nd August 2009, 06:19 PM

Thanks Guys! Three different suggestions though!!

katana · 2nd August 2009, 06:40 PM

Hi Gene,
my first reaction was a 'priest'.....to quickly despatch large fish / game, although a little too long. Where is the point of balance ? A throwing 'stick' would have the POB very near to the heavy end. A club slightly further down. I could quite easily see a poacher with this descretely hidden up his sleeve ready to throw at the 'occasional' stray rabbit / pheasant. Doubles up as a club....in case he's caught by the 'game keeper'

Regards David

Atlantia · 2nd August 2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Gene,
my first reaction was a 'priest'.....to quickly despatch large fish / game, although a little too long. Where is the point of balance ? A throwing 'stick' would have the POB very near to the heavy end. A club slightly further down. I could quite easily see a poacher with this descretely hidden up his sleeve ready to throw at the 'occasional' stray rabbit / pheasant. Doubles up as a club....in case he's caught by the 'game keeper'

Regards David

Hi you lucky dog!

POB is about an inch from the lead head.

Sooo, where is this bootsale exactly?

Best Regards
Gene

katana · 2nd August 2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi you lucky dog!

POB is about an inch from the lead head.

Sooo, where is this bootsale exactly?

Best Regards
Gene

Hi Gene,
The local 'boot fair' is usually a 'non event' ......this is incredibly rare ....well actually the first time a pointy, sharp thing has cropped up. Oh occassionally a 'stainless Chinese Katana' may 'appear' ....but they don't count......do they ?

With the weight so far up, I think a throwing stick is definately on the cards.

Regards David

2nd August 2009, 01:33 PM	#2
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Not a billy club but a (rare) weapon indeed This is a throwing stick supposedly made for hunting small game like rabbits, squirrels etc. Late 19th to early 20th century England & Ireland.

2nd August 2009, 05:01 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	my guess, a trench mace/club shaft looks like rattan, zillions of similar ones were made for trench warfare in ww1, wooden haft with a simple poured lead head, sometimes all covered in leather, with a wrapped grip and lanyard. much handier, and also cheaper than a sword or bayonetted rifle. some had spikes. Trench raiding clubs were homemade mêlée weapons used by both the Allies and the Central Powers during World War I. Clubs were used during night-time trench raiding expeditions as a quiet and effective way of killing or wounding enemy soldiers. The clubs were usually made out of wood. It was common practice to fix a metal object at the striking end (eg. an empty mills bomb) in order to maximize the injury inflicted. Another common design comprised a simple stave with the end drilled out and a lead weight inserted, with rows of large hobnails hammered in around its circumference. Most designs had some form of cord or leather strap at the end to wrap around the user's wrist. Trench clubs were manufactured in bulk by units based behind the lines. Typically, regimental carpenters and metal workers would make large numbers of the same design of club. They were generally used along with other "quiet" weapons such as trench knives, hatchets and pick-axe handles - backed up with revolvers and grenades. a somewhat nastier version with a cast iron head Last edited by kronckew; 2nd August 2009 at 05:27 PM.

2nd August 2009, 01:10 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Hi I think this is an instrument that was used in plumbing work (during the time when water pipes were made from lead). Regards

2nd August 2009, 06:19 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Thanks Guys! Three different suggestions though!!

2nd August 2009, 06:40 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Gene, my first reaction was a 'priest'.....to quickly despatch large fish / game, although a little too long. Where is the point of balance ? A throwing 'stick' would have the POB very near to the heavy end. A club slightly further down. I could quite easily see a poacher with this descretely hidden up his sleeve ready to throw at the 'occasional' stray rabbit / pheasant. Doubles up as a club....in case he's caught by the 'game keeper' Regards David