Antique Collectables 18thc 'Bosun's' Thread Covered Weighted Persuader

A superb example of an early 'Bosun's Persuader'....these collectable items were used by senior non commissioned naval officers to be used to keep sailors in line and to press-gang those men that were unwilling to join the service, the naval officers would wait outside the taverns and inns at closing time and then hit the unsuspecting drunken men over the head and bundle them on board ship....the next time they awoke, they were in the navy, miles out to sea , with a sore head and I'm sure a look of bewilderment...! This fine Persuader is made using baleen, ( which comes from the filter part inside the mouth of the baleen whale) ....it is weighted at the end with lead and is covered in very finely worked thread....in excellent condition considering that it has been used..!

English. C1770-90.     (From a private collection)