Iron Ball Slungshot (c. 1900)

[@TheLord0Ice0Wind]

That's a slick thumper, nasty however efficacious

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Fascinating. Thanks for all that great info.

[@ObjectHistory]

Definitely a touch of the west there with the Gold Rush background LOL.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

@@ObjectHistory I'd say. The Gold Rush had a lot of concealed weapons. Guns, knives, and it appears slungshots!

[@ObjectHistory]

Oh yeah, it comes up a lot in chronicles of that time/place.

[@maxmccullough8548]

That's exactly what I've heard called a grink! Though the one I handled had a cylindrical load instead of a sphere, but from what I understood the classification had more to do with the overall length, and handle material and configuration. Though the example I saw the load end seemed to have a secondary purpose of a fistload...

[@ObjectHistory]

Ahhh. Fistload, that would make sense for a cylindrical load.

[@ThisReckless]

I’m from Maine and was interestingly reading about brass knuckles to come across the monkey first. So I started looking up slungshots and found this video. Pretty cool you referenced Bangor Maine. Quite a ways up north though but thanks for the history.

[@ObjectHistory]

My pleasure, thanks for watching. I have a lot more related content on the channel.

[@1166sinatra]

What I don't understand: If you try to beat f.e. someone's head with a slungshot, the risk will be, that the ball or weight flexes back on your own hand or wrist bone. I wouldn't even try to beat on a wood block with such a device.

[@ObjectHistory]

This is the nunchaku conundrum... Back to this kind of weapon, I feel, 1) The centuries of practical experience says it wasn't generally a problem or people would have stopped using them, 2) We don't often test these kinds of things against realistic targets. So many objects have way more bounce-back than the bone and tissue of the body, 3) My hypothesis is that this is why soft or semi-soft loads (bundle of bullets, buckshot, coins) were popular vs. 100% solid loads, 4) You're absolutely right about some of the ones on the market. I've experimented with certain slungshot configurations and don't think they're well designed for avoiding a self/bounce hit.

[@quentinsaville2950]

It appears that the ball has a hole through it. I think the straps come up the outside then curve inward, pass through the ball and out the bottom, where they appear to be riveted or otherwise joined to the outside leather. This would give very strong retention of the ball. I suspect that the strap was once a loop. Loop at the bottom, ends go up the ball and down through the middle to be joined to the outside straps below the ball. Note the 4 layers of leather at his point.

[@ObjectHistory]

Ah, I see what you mean.

[@diogenesstudent5585]

Getting these is so freakin hard. No sap/blackjack maker is easy to deal with.

[@seppukusushi2848]

Yeah, it's a shame about Greenman Leather going under. That guy was the best sap maker around.

[@jaimemunoz5920]

If you want Flat sap Boston Leather make some good quality cheap ones. Like 30 bucks. I recently got the Texan 11 inch flat sap and I like the feel but it is just way too springy for my liking. I want something with less Flex. And it's like the only other way to get these weapons is to go to a boutique dealer and they cost an arm and a leg and that's even if you can get to talk to them. I've sent a couple emails and tried to join a couple Facebook places and that went nowhere.

[@maxmccullough8548]

Learn to saddle stitch buddy. Also Boston leather.

[@seppukusushi2848]

@@jaimemunoz5920 I already have a flat slapper. Mine is an 8" 16oz S&W flat sap. Boston is okay, but their prices are about the same as Greenman Leather (when they existed) and Greenman were MUCH better quality. They were like Museum quality pieces. *but it is just way too springy for my liking. I want something with less Flex.* I think if you're going to go with a custom maker you should consider this instead of a flat sap: link kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2W1aYOpjMmNmsU also another link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3yvdniqZ8SGobc Object History also reviewed this Greenman Leather soft sap: link kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHitiJeKaqhgqbs The soft sap design is more doable than the much more "constructed" flat slapper. Also, flex can be *better* than a stiff spine because you get more of a wrist whipping action going.

[@ObjectHistory]

@@seppukusushi2848 Good stuff but I always had problems with them and know others did too. But when you got a flawless piece from them, it was a great sap.

[@johncharles236]

I found this to be misquoted in a law firm's website blog today. They were saying NC law outlaws "slingshot" concealed carry but the law itself says "slungshot". I called them to suggest the correction but this may be a good warning to anyone wanting to carry a weapon in their state. Go to the actual laws of your state before making any decisions. Know your rights.

[@danedwards8535]

I found a very old Billy club in abandoned house several years ago. The leather, covering the lead head is in sad condition. Is there a place this could be sent to be rehabilitated?

[@ObjectHistory]

People send old ones in to different sap makers to get rehabilitated. If you're on Facebook, there's a group called Blackjacks, Saps, And Knuckdusters as well others where you can see different makers you might want to reach out to.

[@vyr01]

that ball is drilled through (or its a cast in hole) so that is one piece of leather for the handle, its folded over and then the ends are passed through the hole in the weight and then folded back over around the weight and riveted to the hand loop --- should have just waited a bit for the pictures

[@ObjectHistory]

That makes sense.

[@jimmyrustler8983]

That's a nasty one! I made myself a monkeys fist out of Paracord and a pool ball (mine's called a Gorillas fist) a few years ago, it's great for throwing guylines over trees. It would definitely cause great harm to anyone who gets in the way.

[@ObjectHistory]

I have one like that (made a video on it). They are fun. I'll have to throw mine for the heck of it, I don't really ever carry it for self-defense purposes.

[@jimmyrustler8983]

@@ObjectHistory I made a loop at the handle end of my monkeys fist to attach a carabiner to it for hauling over tree limbs and such, makes shelter building a little easier 👍

[@dmitryvolkov8508]

Very interesting solution how to fix the ball with leather ! Will make one like that for myself ;)

[@ObjectHistory]

Cool. If you do you might be the first person to create one in many decades.

[@jlf2393]

ARE THOSE THING'S LEGAL TO CARRY OR OWN,PLEASE REPLY SO I DONT GET MYSELF IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW,I AM GOOD AT LEATHER WORK,I HAVE ALL THE TOOL'S TO MAKE ONE AND I AM TEMPTED TO MAKE ONE.ONCE AGAIN PLEASE REPLY SO I DONT FIND MYSELF IN DEEP 💩.....😂

[@ObjectHistory]

Same answer as in the other thread. Thanks.

[@sheldondillon]

Where might I purchase this book youve mentioned ? and what is the title ? P.S. I loved watching your vids on older weapons , very interesting

[@ObjectHistory]

Just Google the title… Saps, Blackjacks and Slungshots: A History of Forgotten Weapons and many different retailers will come up from Amazon to Barnes and Nobles. Thank you!

[@sheldondillon]

@@ObjectHistory Kool,I will do that and let you know when I get it. Thank you 👍

[@ObjectHistory]

@@sheldondillon Much appreciated. If you buy it from Amazon, please rate and review it after if so inclined.