Hello Son!
No, this isn't your dad...
(But I might fit the description!....)
Am living in western Canada now, but used to live near Middlesbrough, and years and years ago, I saw the biggest display ever of truncheons at the museum in York.
I'm pretty sure it was York and the display was indeed huge, and ran from the Bowstreet runners 'clubs' up to modern times...(well, late 60's as it was at the time)
There were many as Jim has already described, but many earlier ones were rather horrific!
some were like a chair leg. (Might have been!) turned round where it was gripped, and dead square on the 'working end. Would really send the skin and hair flying!
Others were made from plaited rawhide, with a maybe an inch-and a half lead ball wrapped in the working bit....more like a small-headed indian war club.
Some appeared to be equally the results of spare time, and a fertile imagination, with the bottom line of being intended to Really Hurt, or put the lights out Very quickly.
I was imressed.
We did have one, belonged to an old relative. It was his dads.
It was approx. 18" long, turned handle, with turned ring at the end of the grip, for traction, the rest was straight sided, maybe 1 1/2" in diameter, with a hole bored down the centre and filled with a plug of lead.
Also had a leather loop for the wrist.
All the best Son!
Richard.
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