Bosun's cosh/starter/persuader

LJ · 12th March 2016, 09:59 PM

Just to complicate things further. This was part of a collection of unidentified African items, so because my brain runs in straight lines and bearing in mind the copper wire wrapping, my first thought was it was from southern Africa. And the flexible fibre ... possibly elephant hair. Somebody else commented that it looked like the type of staff carried by an Induna.

Well, if the fibre is baleen, it is unlikely to be southern African ! The ends are not particularly heavy, and I never thought of the item as a cosh, but maybe it is.

A sorry descent, from Induna's staff to fish-killing cosh ... or does anybody have a suggestion as to what else could it be ???

kronckew · 13th March 2016, 09:19 AM

yes, not a fishing 'priest', but a very expensive (now) twisted whale baleen bosun's 'starter'. it doesn't need to be all that heavy, it's meant to just provide a painful 'reminder' rather than do injury that might limit the recipient's performance. and to serve as a badge of his top rank in the crew. used a bit like a smack on the head by leroy gibbs (NCIS)

possibly made on a whaler where it did not also need to serve as a weapon.

worth a lot more than a zulu induna's staff.

see my PM.

12th March 2016, 09:59 PM	#1
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	Just to complicate things further. This was part of a collection of unidentified African items, so because my brain runs in straight lines and bearing in mind the copper wire wrapping, my first thought was it was from southern Africa. And the flexible fibre ... possibly elephant hair. Somebody else commented that it looked like the type of staff carried by an Induna. Well, if the fibre is baleen, it is unlikely to be southern African ! The ends are not particularly heavy, and I never thought of the item as a cosh, but maybe it is. A sorry descent, from Induna's staff to fish-killing cosh ... or does anybody have a suggestion as to what else could it be ??? Attached Images

13th March 2016, 09:19 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	yes, not a fishing 'priest', but a very expensive (now) twisted whale baleen bosun's 'starter'. it doesn't need to be all that heavy, it's meant to just provide a painful 'reminder' rather than do injury that might limit the recipient's performance. and to serve as a badge of his top rank in the crew. used a bit like a smack on the head by leroy gibbs (NCIS) possibly made on a whaler where it did not also need to serve as a weapon. worth a lot more than a zulu induna's staff. see my PM.