Type specifically associated with waterfront activity including Shanghaiing sailors for ship’s crews. Turned wood, slightly over 10” length with flared butt, expanding toward the top. The butt pierced for a wrist thong and painted with a black-bordered red line. An identical line at the center of percussion which is forward of the center as the top is weighted with lead. Wonderful maritime patina with lightly crackled/congealed surface. As well as used to dealing with drunken sailors in the pubs and waterfront bars, these were used by crimps who sold drunk and unconscious sailors to ship’s captains as captive crew. During the California Gold Rush, many ships were abandoned in San Francisco for lack of crew to return them, as the sailors all went to the goldfields.