Victorian Naval Bosuns Cosh/Persuader. MISC 907. Victorian Naval Bosuns Cosh/Persuader. MISC 907. Miscellaneous

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’. Ships’ Bosuns supervised the crew in sailing the vessel and maintaining the ropes, rigging, boats, anchors and stores on board. Clearly this was a role that required very strict discipline, hence this type of instrument commonly used to keep the crew on their toes. Later in the19th century, brutal punishments on board Royal Navy ships began to be frowned upon by society and these types of cruel instruments, along with the notorious punishment of flogging, became less common. Many Bosuns’ starters seem to have been made with great care and skill. Some are designed with a handle and rope with a weighted end, whilst others, like this one, are more rod-like. It consists of a wooden bound (likely Malacca wood) core with weighted ends made of lead and bound in twine knot work *one end missing some twine* The two ends have brass coloured caps with a floral engraving. Measuring 30 cm in length and weighing 0.198g, this cosh/pacifier/starter is in good condition for its age (see pictures) . A collectors piece which would warrant some interesting extra investigation. The price includes UK delivery. MISC 907.