Modern policing began with Sir Robert Peel in London and morphed out from there. There are a number of early law enforcement tools that are still in use today. Some of the least recognized are saps and truncheons. Thus, I thought that it might be useful to explain them here on this blog.
Truncheons
15″ of second growth hickory. Sometimes referred to as a police baton (British pattern). The one pictured below was presented to the author by the Royal Hong Kong Police in a nice presentation box, but it’s identical to those carried by police throughout the old British empire.
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| Royal Hong Kong Police Truncheon |
Police in the US took a different path with various lengths (about twice as long) of police batons, also made of hickory and later aluminum (PR-24) and plastic. Those were generally replaced by the telescoping ASP, also made of metal.
Police Batons
ASP (telescoping steel baton)
ASP (telescoping steel baton)
PR-24 (the unit pictured – with nomenclature – is constructed of plastic)
PR-24 (Aetco – aluminum)
The PR-24 is so named because it’s twenty-four inches long. I have heard that PR stands for prosecutor, but I don’t know that for a fact.
Saps/Blackjacks
Most police uniform trousers still have ‘sap pockets’ sewn into the garment between the front and rear pockets. These are generally used to hold longer barrel flashlights these days since the day and age of the sap would seem to have run its course…maybe.
Bob Gonzales made saps, arguably the very best, that were used primarily by law enforcement officers in Southern California. The 415 was the lightest model (pictured in the video below), the 245 was a mid-weight sap and the 187 was the heaviest and longest (possibly the most difficult to use).
415 Gonzales Sap (available here)
245 Gonzales Sap
26oz of lead has a flat rounded body; lead shot filled and is covered in black plain leather. Measures, 11 ¼”. The original 245 Gonzales has a leather thong that is threaded through a hole in the laminated leather handle/body of the weapon. The current model available from Tex Shoemaker has a different retention strap. That strap runs parallel with the body of the sap, much like the old beaver tail saps did (see photo below).
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Beavertail ‘flat sap’ (above) – usually carried
in the back pocket. 245 Gonzales (below)
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Gonzales Saps have a significant advantage because of the “snap” imparted by the swing as the lead is the striking surface. It spares the user potential wrist pain while imparting maximum damage.
187 Gonzales Sap
35 oz of lead, has a flat body; lead shot filled and is covered in plain black leather. Measures 18″.
Sap Gloves
Powdered shot is sewed into the glove opposite the knuckles. It was used to strengthen a punch in the same way as a roll of dimes or pennies may be used. The disadvantage of using sap gloves comes with the inability to effectively fire a handgun, wield a concussion weapon, operate a taser or even drive a car while wearing them.
In this modern age, they are available after a fashion, with much of the functionality removed as with the Hatch Defender. I’m not criticizing the glove itself, but moving the shot to the knuckles, while allowing the user to operate guns, cars, etc. takes away the bulk of the raw striking power of a genuine sap glove.
Old School
Iron Claw (Argus Manufacturing Co.)
The Iron Claw was a pain compliance device that is placed around an individual’s wrist and cinched tighter to encourage them to stop resisting. Sometimes referred to as a ‘come along’. Often used in conjunction with handcuffs.
Yes, if you don’t double-lock handcuffs, they do get tighter, creating the same effect as an Iron Claw. That is the “poor man’s iron claw”. That works too and imparts pain without necessarily breaking the wrist of the detainee.
In the case of the Iron Claw, resistance or pulling away from the officer holding it usually meant that the subject would end up with a broken wrist. I think that it was for that reason that they fell into disuse.
I, of course due to my young age, was issued an ASP. I have only had the opportunity to threaten it on a couple of occasions, but have broke many windows with it. I have been in many violent (non-deadly force) confrontations, but have always resorted to using fists and feet. This has not always proved the best choice, but it was the fastest.
My dad had a sap, I don't know where it is now. But he said back in the day they were not always easy to come by, so a sock with quarters did the job…
A sock with a bar of soap in it is also a good sap.
The nice thing about soap is that you can toss it in the water after use, thus eliminating evidential reference…
Saps and brass knuckles… 🙂 And 5.11s still have a sap pocket (albeit a shallow one).
A sap can work quite well. Used one regularly for quite some time. Great for everything from head tapping to knocking on doors.
It lets people know you're there
All of those would have come in handy, here in Salt Lake City.
They're important. And the new brass knuckles aren't made of brass but they're quite effective.
I hope that you weren't mugged on the mean streets of SLC.
Hey I have a truncheon from the Royal Hong Kong police too!
Display it with pride!
Except for the ASP (I retired before they were approved) at one time or another I had and used every one of them. I liked the black jack the best. Never had to hit anyone more than once with it bada bing! and they were done.
Alas, one by one they were forbidden by dept'al R&R. My old PD doesn't even allow sap pockets on uniform pants anymore. Just ASPs and Tasers now.
*sigh*
I kinda miss marking the idiots – ya know – like tagging game for future identification. I id'ed a few guys by a familiar scar I left on them.
There was another way to use the Claw – one cop grabbed a recalcitrant motor vehicle operator by the chin (yes his mouth was open for too long) and yanked him right through the open driver's side window. Things were a bit different back then, yep.
The process for taking somebody out of a car window goes like this. You grab them by the neck with both hands, rotate the head about 90 degrees and pull. They come out…if the seatbelt is unfastened.
Does anyone know what years Mr. Gonzales made saps (even roughly)? TY
Having Internet problems, apologies if this appears multiple times…
Does anyone know roughly what years Mr. Gonzales made saps?
Also, as someone w an interest in antique weapons I've had a devil of a time trying to determine when blackjacks (spring body, cylindrical shape) and flat saps started being used by LEO.
Would appreciate any info. TY
I bought my 245 Gonzales in 1980 (give or take 6 months)
Thanks! There's a Gonzales looking sap (but not 1) on E-bay right now. It's the only one I've seen come across there of that general configuration.
Actually the rear deep pockets are perfect for carrying a large flat sap
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