Item NA7 - Sailor’s Cosh with Fancy Rope Work.
Surely made by a deepwater sailor, perhaps on an 19th Century
Whaler, this lead weighted cosh would have been carried on shore leave for
personal defense, or used by a mate on a square rigger for controlling unruly
deck hands. The cosh consists of two egg-shaped cast pieces of lead, tightly
bound in fancy macramé rope work. These are connected to each other with a 4 ½
inch of cotton twist rope having a diameter of about ½ inch. One leaded end has
been drilled to accept a short lanyard to fit around the wrist. The present
lanyard may not be original. The rope work encasing the lead pieces has been
tarred. It looks like a very effective tool to use in quelling a mutiny or
winning a bar fight. It is an outstanding sailor’s tool – worthy of any
nautical collection. Easily Good.
Price - $225.00