Circa 1800, Royal Navy, Bosun's Starter or Cosh, Persuader, with Original Wrist Strap

*Circa 1800, Royal Navy, Bosun's Starter or Cosh, Persuader, with Original Wrist Strap*

A very interesting hand made 22.5cm long weighted hardwood cosh with leather covered braided end and original wrist straps.

This is a bosuns’ starter, or cosh, and was used by ships’ bosuns to hit (or start) slow or lazy sailors, making them work faster. These instruments are also sometimes ironically called ‘persuaders’. They could be easily concealed up the sleeve and were also used to "Persuad" and "recruit" vagrants and drunk disorderlies at the docks area to His Majesty’s Sea Service. It dates to around circa 1800 and is in its original condition.

It represents the often brutal world of the Georgian Royal Navy.

*Condition*
The piece is in good order. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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