Smith & Wesson slapper - blackjack

[Buford57]

Started with one of the spring-loaded jobs identical to the one in the OPs picture, given to me my first day on the job by an old deputy from the prohibition era. After replacing the wrist strap I retired it in favor of one of the big slappers.

The Nick Nolte movie Mulholland Falls features one of the 9" numbers,

Kelitis was a frequent side effect of disorderly conduct and public stupidity in the 70s and 80s.

 

[loc n load]

Days of yore

Reading the above post's took me down memory lane this AM as I drink my morning java. Above my desk are several photo's of me and other's in days gone by. One of them is of me standing next to my "motor" back in 1980. I am wearing the standard Chippewa "motor" boots that came up to just below my knees, standing next to my KZ1000. If you look closely, you will see the 9" slapper that rode in a sap pocket that was integral in our uniform pants for motor cops.
When I started in 73, I worked for a large S.Cal metro agency. We were very stick oriented, carried a 26" wooden baton, along with whatever we felt necessary to enhance our inter-personal communication skills. I worked foot patrol in a high incident, culturally diverse precinct. Baton, sap, mag lite and a couple other items comprised my less lethal loadout.
Times have certainly changed.

 

[cbore]

Unlike many of the uniform LEO's comment I was a Narcotic Agent. Most of the time state wide undercover without local knowledge. A gun and a badge most times would compromise you so I carried a spring slap and boot knife.

Years later the blackjack was my constant companion when working in Russia after the fall. To many times that little piece of lead and leather covered my rear end

 

[Iggy]

I carried one of those little saps for many years. Amazing attitude adjustment tool, or so I've been told.

 

[Iggy]

A Mag-lite will go through a car windshield when thrown at a car that runs a road block, or so I've been told.

 

[SAFireman]

A Mag-lite will go through a car windshield when thrown at a car that runs a road block, or so I've been told.

I briefly lost a 6 D cell Maglite through the back window of a sedan that tried to drive over me while we were working a DWI fatality....one of our esteemed troopers brought it back an hour or so later, he said that it was 'proof positive' of the identity of the wayward (also drunk) driver.

 

[opaul]

My great grand dad was a small town policeman. I remember admiring his uniform but most interesting was his black jack. He would let me hold it and I thought the spring action was pretty cool.
Years went buy and I saw this at a gun show a few years ago and it made me think about him. The difference between his and this, his was black.

 

[Iggy]

I briefly lost a 6 D cell Maglite through the back window of a sedan that tried to drive over me while we were working a DWI fatality....one of our esteemed troopers brought it back an hour or so later, he said that it was 'proof positive' of the identity of the wayward (also drunk) driver.

That's how I got mine back too.

 

[Goblin]

My LEO brother had a solid extension for his Maglite about as long as two batteries. He held it by the lens almost like a pen when using the light so he could easily use it as a thumper when the need arose.

 

[JackM]

Sap gloves were popular when I was just getting started in the late seventies--black leather gloves with powdered lead sewn into a pocket over the knuckles. If I remember correctly mine were deerskin, made by a company in New Hampshire or Vermont. They were heavy. Very impressive when you dropped them onto the counter at the coffee shop. And equally embarrassing when you then whacked your teeth with the (by comparison) featherweight coffee cup.

 

[Road Rat]

Ah, the memories............I saw my old man get hit with one of those flat saps one night!! He folded like a wet sheet...........

He never did learn to NOT argue with LEO's...............these days someone would just shoot him.....but, he has been gone for many years now..........

Memories.............

 

[Buford57]

A Mag-lite will go through a car windshield when thrown at a car that runs a road block, or so I've been told.

I've also heard that used D cell batteries get the attention of drivers who think it's smart to swerve toward officers directing traffic when said batteries bounce off the fenders. But that's only a rumor.

 

[BOMBTEC]

I carried one back in the DAY. The PD I worked at even issued pants with a slap jack pocket sewed into them. The only problem with the slap jack was "proximity" you had to be in close to use it. Then they took them away saying that they caused to much trauma to the offender. Then everyone started using the kel-light. l still have m 18" C-cell flash light, fit perfect in the baton ring. Then they said that was to dangerous to use. The next tool was the PR-24 baton a great tool. Then came the "ASP" a collapsible steel rod. Now, think about going from a piece of leather with lead sewn into it to a Steel Pipe. Some how I don't see the humanity there in.

 

[JSR III]

Very interesting stories. Today however, in this PC world, I would be careful carrying one. I think they aren't legal in some states, especially when carried by civilians.

 

[model70hunter]

A Maglite will part the flesh to the bone.

When the batteries hit the inner wall of the machined tube it sounds like a 38 going off.

Or so ive seen.

 

[jimmyj]

In my experience the only really effective blackjack/sap was a "Convoy".
Then a large "Mag-Lite" and a PR-24. I remember the length of metal cable with a rubber chair leg cap on either end and wrapped in electrical tape (OUCH !)

 

[sipowicz]

The 415 Gonzales is still authorized by the LASD. I have one but never carry it. Very heavy. Wish I could carry one of them small blackjacks like my dad did in the NYPD, but for some reason, only that monster sap is allowed.

this link has a lot of them....I have my dad's old 7 " braided bj like the one on the site, along with the 415 sap.

d3 protection

 

[sw1834]

I just bought a vintage S&W sap on E-Bay. Thanks for all the stories. Sometimes I find it hard to pass up on vintage S&W items. The one I bought is rather large though, it's just under 10".
237104

SWCA #1834

 

[usm1rifle]

The 415 Gonzales is still authorized by the LASD. I have one but never carry it. Very heavy. Wish I could carry one of them small blackjacks like my dad did in the NYPD, but for some reason, only that monster sap is allowed.

this link has a lot of them....I have my dad's old 7 " braided bj like the one on the site, along with the 415 sap.

d3 protection

Sip, that's a great site. Good to see you back!

 

[sipowicz]

Sip, that's a great site. Good to see you back!

Thanks. I took a break from gun boards for a spell to concentrate on my daffodil collection.