MARITIME HARDWOOD TRUNCHEON

Mid-19th century or earlier. 15" length, cylindrical, lathe turned Lignum Vitae or associated species. Uniform dark color, and curiously of neutral buoyancy, with one end slight heavier than the other, the tip rounded with dimple from the lathe dead center. The butt with turned bands (working life chips). Drilled for a wrist loop. Indicators of its shipboard construction are the dead center dimple which would have finished out in a fully equipped factory, the chamfers of the throng hole which are knife finished rather than tool countersunk and the face of the butt which is entirely knife finished. Used for discipline on board as well as Shanghaiing crew members.