OK, let's talk batons and any leather guys, come on in...

[MelvinWalker]

Having been in both corrections and patrol for 20+ years, obviously various batons were a tool that were carried and issued depending on the situation. This Monadnock long baton was issued to me and I carried it on the State Tactical Squad at 16 different prisons across the years. It has my site ID and number engraved in it.... I later qualified with an ASP which I still have as well.

The middle Monadnock is 16" and I never carried it, but I got it some years ago with some other items... I like it though.

The last baton is hard rock maple 20" and was used by my uncle who worked in the Baltimore city shipyard during WW2.

Here's my question. I have been hired as a gig security officer for an event, (I have multiple Florida security licenses that I keep active). I will be carrying Glock, TASER, Sabre Red and a baton. I am qualified on long, short and expandable batons, but I would like to resurrect the maple baton shown here that my uncle used in WW2. The event security manager is fine with whatever one I want to carry, since I am qualified with any of them.

The event is not for about a month, so I would like to refinish this maple baton, (which I can do myself), and put it back with a leather center strap/thong that it would have come with originally. Who can make one of those for me? Any suggestions? I am not a leather guy.

I know it sounds anciently old school, but I like the wooden batons and especially this one because it is very light, (hard rock maple), but very strong and fairly short. I like rigid batons even though they are wildly out of style now. Any ideas or suggestions? The last picture is one with a strap like I want.

 

[AlHunt]

The bottom pic isn't really clear. Is it a braided piece?

 

[MelvinWalker]

The bottom pic isn't really clear. Is it a braided piece?

I think that one is, although it wouldn't have to be.

 

[AlHunt]

I can't find anything about how to attach a thong to baton aside from threading it through a hole.

Since the thong is a retention device, getting it right is important. I'd think a quality leather like Latigo or harness leather would be the go to.

Hopefully, someone knows what that knot is. Some kind of variation on a Turks Head, maybe?

 

[S-W4EVER]

When I was in the Army, we used the leather tie down strap from an Army flap holster on our sticks. Long enough we could twirl the stick while on foot patrol.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Oh, excellent! I like that. I have no refinishing advice, I just want to compliment that thing!

This picture might help you to determine how to attach a thong to that baton:

OOPS! First time I uploaded photos since the new Forum started. The pictures need approval. What they will show is a vintage US military police baton that I have had since I was in single digits. Certainly before I was a teenager. Long story made short, my dad acquired a couple of them and gave them to my brother and me. I hope he still has his, but I wouldn't wager on it. In the 1990s, I worked across the street and down the block from a police supply store, and I took the baton to them to ask them to affix the thong. The guy made it look easy. Anyway, whatever that knot is, it never comes undone, and the baton swings freely. If you can follow the pictures, once I post them, you can do it, too. Stay tuned............

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Okay, they are approved:







If your eyes are good and your fingers are talented, I'm hoping you can follow the loops and duplicate that knot.

 

[Retired W4]

My buddy Billy and his wife are my go to people for leather. They have done several projects for me and they are good. Below a the same card, just reverse sides. Send them the pictures of your head knockers.

 

[CH4]

Leather and batons, wasn't sure where this was going. Thought maybe you were looking for S&M and not S&W.

 

[geeollie]

You say it is anciently old school. But those will raise a brand new lump on just about any part of the human body!
I was only allowed to carry an ASP.

Question: What Red Saber formula do you carry?

 

[Fishinfool]

I like it. I would think heavy rawhide boot lacing would work well. Probably a light, if any stain, and a varnish finish.

When I started with the CT. SP in 1980, we were issued long plastic riot batons with a rawhide lace and a metal ball (rib splitter) on the business end. For riot use only. For patrol, we carried fixed, and later expandable PR-24's.

Never in a riot, and I seldom used the pr-24, though just drawing it and giving it a "ready" spin usually took the fight out of most wanna be bad guys. A jab to the solar plexus knocked the wind out of those who insisted....

Larry

 

[MelvinWalker]

You say it is anciently old school. But those will raise a brand new lump on just about any part of the human body!
I was only allowed to carry an ASP.

Question: What Red Saber formula do you carry?

It is Sabre "Police Magnum". I am not sure of the capsicum strength....I hate the stuff personally and never used it myself....I carried it for years, but I never had to use it.

I was surprised he said I could carry the short baton myself.

 

[MelvinWalker]

I like it. I would think heavy rawhide boot lacing would work well. Probably a light, if any stain, and a varnish finish.

When I started with the CT. SP in 1980, we were issued long plastic riot batons with a rawhide lace and a metal ball (rib splitter) on the business end. For riot use only. For patrol, we carried fixed, and later expandable PR-24's.

Never in a riot, and I seldom used the pr-24, though just drawing it and giving it a "ready" spin usually took the fight out of most wanna be bad guys. A jab to the solar plexus knocked the wind out of those who insisted....

Larry

I think the rigid batons definitely have more of a deterrent factor, especially the 30+ inch riot batons....Holding it now, it would definitely hurt. We mainy trained for it to be used horizontally "abreast" of each other for pushing and crowd control. I never hit anybody with it, although that would have been the end result had someone challenged the line.

 

[MelvinWalker]

My buddy Billy and his wife are my go to people for leather. They have done several projects for me and they are good. Below a the same card, just reverse sides. Send them the pictures of your head knockers.View attachment 775738View attachment 775739

I have bought a few yards of leather cordage on Amazon. I am going to give it a go myself. If I can't do anything, I'll contact your leather person....Thanks~

 

[fatcat3]

HUH. When I started working at the max we had a ring of Folder Adams keys and our personality. No mace, cuff, radio, portable phones, body/man down alarms, etc. and most certainly no batons. By the time I retired mace and cuffs, computers opened the door so no keys. Can't say I never used mace but I can say I never maced an I/M. Going to the little officer's room could be an experience.
IMHO, get yourself some butcher block paste wax, or Jhonson's floor paste wax, a soft cloth and elbow grease. The old girl has earned her look, let her keep as much as you can. Mink oil of the lanyard if its leather.

 

[MelvinWalker]

HUH. When I started working at the max we had a ring of Folder Adams keys and our personality. No mace, cuff, radio, portable phones, body/man down alarms, etc. and most certainly no batons. By the time I retired mace and cuffs, computers opened the door so no keys. Can't say I never used mace but I can say I never maced an I/M. Going to the little officer's room could be an experience.
IMHO, get yourself some butcher block paste wax, or Jhonson's floor paste wax, a soft cloth and elbow grease. The old girl has earned her look, let her keep as much as you can. Mink oil of the lanyard if its leather.

You meant "Folger" Adams...

When I first started as a housing unit officer, we had mace and a radio...Nothing else. No handcuffs...Long batons were only issued to Tactical Teams/CERT and only while deployed...

Yard Officers, transport, mobiles and towers had all three, (no baton), and a S&W 64 or 67...Long lines had one officer with shotgun on horseback, one officer 50 yards ahead with a Mini-14 and one guy amongst the inmates unarmed, (puncher)...

After 20 years of that, I retired and went to county, (same retirement)....Inside was chemical, ASP, cuffs and Taser... Outside or court was Glock 21, chemical and cuffs.

 

[HardToHandle]

So the Uncle's baton screams Baltimore to me.
Espantoon is what they call the traditional, now banned, Baltimore Police baton/badge of office.

Mildly interesting historical summary:

What Makes an Espantoon an Espantoon

A website dedicated to the History of the Baltimore Police Department, those who have served and the memory of our Fallen Brothers, and Sisters

baltimorepolicemuseum.com

This guy makes custom spantoons, never ordered but like the looks:

ELITE ESPANTOONS & CUSTOMS

www.eliteespantoons.com

 

[Exchipy]

For a time, I carried on patrol a regulation length baton which I made from an axe handle. I installed on it a rubber grommet and shaved down the high spots so it would deploy perfectly from the baton ring on my Sam Browne duty belt. It had three quite attractive attributes: 1) It was oval in cross section so that I could strike with its broad side to spread and dissipate its impact force some, or strike edge on to concentrate its impact force. 2) Its butt end tapered and flared out to aid in gripping securely two handed and provide an excellent impact surface for when administering a butt stroke. And, 3) It was slightly curved over its length, too, sorta like a Katana, which gave it something of an ominous appearance. I still have it, kept by the front door.

 

[Retired W4]

So the Uncle's baton screams Baltimore to me.
Espantoon is what they call the traditional, now banned, Baltimore Police baton/badge of office.

Mildly interesting historical summary:

What Makes an Espantoon an Espantoon

A website dedicated to the History of the Baltimore Police Department, those who have served and the memory of our Fallen Brothers, and Sisters

baltimorepolicemuseum.com

This guy makes custom spantoons, never ordered but like the looks:

ELITE ESPANTOONS & CUSTOMS

www.eliteespantoons.com

View attachment 775802

Straps on A, B and D appear to be braided. C looks more like a dog leash and is probably stronger. I don't know how that effects deployment.

 

[65-2x2]

For a time, I carried on patrol a regulation length baton which I made from an axe handle. I installed on it a rubber grommet and shaved down the high spots so it would deploy perfectly from the baton ring on my Sam Browne duty belt. It had three quite attractive attributes: 1) It was oval in cross section so that I could strike with its broad side to spread and dissipate its impact force some, or strike edge on to concentrate its impact force. 2) Its butt end tapered and flared out to aid in gripping securely two handed and provide an excellent impact surface for when administering a butt stroke. And, 3) It was slightly curved over its length, too, sorta like a Katana, which gave it something of an ominous appearance. I still have it, kept by the front door.

View attachment 775852
View attachment 775853

Axe handles have a sordid history in my part of the country.