South Seas club?

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2025, 08:43 PM

Tim, I cannot believe (or maybe I can) that NOBODY has bothered to respond to this! It seems to be a trend these days. Once upon a time there were many guys who were anxious to share expertise, or at least offer observations or positive comments.

I know less than zip on war clubs, but I am willing to at least try to get some clue, so as I dont have any resources at hand, I looked online.

My nearest guess on this would be Tongan, as they seem more inclined to simpler design, this is like a cross between a billy club and a baseball bat but with cylindrical head. From that brief look, if this is the case it seems Tongan are quite valuable compared to other Oceanic. These pictured are more ornate longer etc. but seemed a good start.

I'll look further, interest piqued!

1800 views in 9 days????not a peep? You'd think anyone who keyed to this thread and topic might know something.

Jim McDougall · 9th April 2025, 03:25 PM

The more I look at this, IMO it may well be a police billy club. It is pretty austere for tribal items and the rimmed base (?).
Hard to find info on those.

Marc M. · 9th April 2025, 03:39 PM

Cool stuff, looks very functional and used. Can't say anything meaningful about it unfortunately.

Regards
Marc

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc M.

Cool stuff, looks very functional and used. Can't say anything meaningful about it unfortunately.

Regards
Marc

Thanks for the note anyway Marc! Its nice to have at least some input or acknowledgement on posts. The return rate on threads is thousands to one as far as response. Even if someone does not add key info, a kind word is also valuable. I know nothing on these....but Im curious....and looking . Hopefully an answer will turn up.

Best
Jim

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.

8th April 2025, 08:43 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Tim, I cannot believe (or maybe I can) that NOBODY has bothered to respond to this! It seems to be a trend these days. Once upon a time there were many guys who were anxious to share expertise, or at least offer observations or positive comments. I know less than zip on war clubs, but I am willing to at least try to get some clue, so as I dont have any resources at hand, I looked online. My nearest guess on this would be Tongan, as they seem more inclined to simpler design, this is like a cross between a billy club and a baseball bat but with cylindrical head. From that brief look, if this is the case it seems Tongan are quite valuable compared to other Oceanic. These pictured are more ornate longer etc. but seemed a good start. I'll look further, interest piqued! 1800 views in 9 days????not a peep? You'd think anyone who keyed to this thread and topic might know something. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 8th April 2025 at 08:58 PM.

9th April 2025, 03:25 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	The more I look at this, IMO it may well be a police billy club. It is pretty austere for tribal items and the rimmed base (?). Hard to find info on those.

9th April 2025, 03:39 PM	#3
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 276	Cool stuff, looks very functional and used. Can't say anything meaningful about it unfortunately. Regards Marc

9th April 2025, 04:18 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	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	#6
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 415	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	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Could easy mash your face and head.