The Maillotin Namesake Weapon

fearn · 12th March 2009, 04:41 AM

Hi Vandoo,

Better keep hoping, 'cause I don't have an example. Well...

Actually, if you google "carver's mallet," you'll see a modern example of a round-headed wooden mallet. They're less common these days, but there are still modern examples.

Queequeg is probably right about the arrangement of lead on the staff.

My guess is that these mallets were something like a morning star/godentag. According to the Wikipedia article on morning stars these were basically arsenal weapons used to arm the people of a city in case of war. They were cheap, basically upgraded quarterstaves. Kind of like what we're talking about here.

I've never seen lead clading on a staff, but I have seen medieval pictures of travelers carrying weighted staffs, so it's not too unusual. Loading a staff with points, hidden blades, or hidden weights is a widespread phenomenon. On occasion, I've been sad that we can't legally do that in these modern days.

My 0.000002 cents,

F

Jim McDougall · 12th March 2009, 06:56 AM

Outstanding Fearn! I could not think of a term that better specified what type of mallet, and it does seem these were definitely associated with the morningstars or other terms for these mace type weapons.

I also hadnt thought of perpandicular lead cylinder, which makes sense in this type weapon, rather than the tool of hammer style I was thinking of. Well, all this talk of lead weighted bonking weapons gets right back to the shillelaghs on Queequegs other thread.

Vandoo, on the contrary, your 'ramblings' always make great sense, and it really is fun trying to figure out some of these really esoteric topics...great stuff!

All the best,
Jim

12th March 2009, 04:41 AM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Vandoo, Better keep hoping, 'cause I don't have an example. Well... Actually, if you google "carver's mallet," you'll see a modern example of a round-headed wooden mallet. They're less common these days, but there are still modern examples. Queequeg is probably right about the arrangement of lead on the staff. My guess is that these mallets were something like a morning star/godentag. According to the Wikipedia article on morning stars these were basically arsenal weapons used to arm the people of a city in case of war. They were cheap, basically upgraded quarterstaves. Kind of like what we're talking about here. I've never seen lead clading on a staff, but I have seen medieval pictures of travelers carrying weighted staffs, so it's not too unusual. Loading a staff with points, hidden blades, or hidden weights is a widespread phenomenon. On occasion, I've been sad that we can't legally do that in these modern days. My 0.000002 cents, F Last edited by fearn; 13th March 2009 at 03:03 AM. Reason: hoping doesn't have a p

12th March 2009, 06:56 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,672	Outstanding Fearn! I could not think of a term that better specified what type of mallet, and it does seem these were definitely associated with the morningstars or other terms for these mace type weapons. I also hadnt thought of perpandicular lead cylinder, which makes sense in this type weapon, rather than the tool of hammer style I was thinking of. Well, all this talk of lead weighted bonking weapons gets right back to the shillelaghs on Queequegs other thread. Vandoo, on the contrary, your 'ramblings' always make great sense, and it really is fun trying to figure out some of these really esoteric topics...great stuff! All the best, Jim