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Vintage Law Enforcement Blackjacks (4)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
Vintage Law Enforcement Blackjacks (4)
Offered in this lot are Four (4) Vintage Law Enforcement Blackjacks, all are leather wrapped. Also included are two pair of handcuffs and two pair of leather holders. The terms blackjack, cosh, and sap refer to any of several short, easily concealed club weapons consisting of a dense (often lead) weight attached to the end of a short shaft, used as a bludgeon. In the 20th century, newer designs emerged that were shorter and predominately made of stitched or braided leather, with a flexible spring inside the handle. The slight flexibility and resilience of the handle gave these small clubs a whip-like action. Law enforcement sources from the mid-20th century preferred to divide these into two categories: "Blackjacks", which have a mostly cylindrical striking head, and "saps" which have a flat, usually oval-shaped head. The (unofficial) adoption of the sap and blackjack by American law enforcement began in the mid 1800s with the creation of the first professional police forces in Boston and New York, and peaked in the 1960s. One pair of handcuffs are Jay-Pee "made in Spain" with a pair of keys. One holder is a leather Bucheimer brand, with torn stitching. Three of the Blackjacks are basketweave wrapped, three have attached leather straps. All the Blackjacks are in good overall condition, leather is supple with normal age/use related scuffing observed. Largest Blackjack measures 9.25"L, the smallest is 6.25"L. Combined weight is 1lb, 12oz