Sap Blackjacks

medxam

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Are leather blackjacks such as the sap illegal to own? I would like to collect several to use in photography with older guns. If they are not illegal, is there a source?
 
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They're illegal in my state, CT. Funny, I can legally carry a .357, but cannot carry a black jack, sap, butterfly knife, switchblade or a sock full of nickels, dimes, pennies, quarters, half dollars and/or dollar coins.....washers, nuts, bolts, etc. None of those Bruce Lee fighting sticks, nor brass knuckles. It's okay, I guess, the .357 would probably do the job if required.
 
Be prepared to pay... The better ones are quite pricey. Police Come Alongs are getting very expensive too...

giz
 
I inherited my Grandfathers. Brought it home and showed it to my moron BIL. He promptly tried it out on a wooden step ladder and broke the leather sheath and stitching with one smack, before I could stop him. It's an antique!!!!

The leather was old and dry but the construction substantial. The slim round teardrop lead head was moulded around a heavy coil spring to the base which has a
bullwhip type braid and there is a wrist loop which slides independantly around and up & down. I may take it to a local leather guy to see if it can be repaired/recovered.
Don't know the legalities but it is a cool old piece. I'll post a photo if you like. It must be from the 20's/30's.

Sorry about the lousy pic but you get the idea.


DoylesBlackjack003.jpg
 
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medxam - Aside from Boston Leather, I know of several good sources. Send me a PM if interested.
 
I have 2...a small narrow one inherited from my dad and his detective days...and a 415 Gonzales that is authorized for use with the LASD...the name comes from the radio code for a fight and the guy who makes the saps...my dad's looks just like the pic below only in much nicer shape..the 415 G is about 5 times thicker....ow.

Copy_of_sap.JPG
 
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Carried one for years, sold it in a garage sale.
 
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From "The Big Sleep" 1946

Joe Brody: "I heard the shots and saw him run down the back steps and into the Packard and away. I followed him. He turned west on Sunset and beyond Beverly he, uh, skidded off the road, and uh, came to a stop. So I came up and played copper. He had a gun, he was rattled, so I sapped him down...."
 
I carried one when I first donned a gun and a badge way back in 1989.

I was told by CLEET that they would not stand up for me if I ever used it and that it would be in my best interest to just get rid of it.
 
Are leather blackjacks such as the sap illegal to own? I would like to collect several to use in photography with older guns. If they are not illegal, is there a source?

I think one of the local shops here carry them, Let me know (PM)if you want me to check.
 
When I went through the Treasury Academy in 1972/1973 the Agency I worked for allowed us to carry saps. You had to go into the Academy on a Saturday for Sap School before you could carry one. I still have my 10 inch Texan Flat Sap that I purchased in the District of Criminals at a Police Supply Store.
Our duty pants even had sap pockets.

Rule 303
 
I was issued a Convoy blackjack when I started on a city department back in the 70's. I used it on a combative drunk after he kicked my partner in the head one night. The drunk was wearing a heavy leather jacket with a hooded sweatshirt underneath. The blows to his upper body from the jack had little effect. The head of the blacjack broke and was hanging by a small strip of leather. I put him down with a choke hold. I bought another and carried it in the blackjack/sap pocket of my uniform pants but never used it. I found that my 7 cell Kel-light worked much better. I still have the second jack in a drawer somewhere around the house. In my state, its not illegal to own one but it is to carry one if your are not a LEO. They never were very effective unless applied to the cranium and that could lead to big problems.
 
In 1974 I injured my first knee. I was at the bottom of a pile of drunks in a run down bar. I managed to get to the top of the pile with the assistance of a Convoy "black jack." They started making better flashlights not long after this. The second knee got ruined about five years later. I've got two new knees now. Maybe I can get some other stuff rebuilt.

I'm sorry, we were talking about blackjacks. They were sort of OK in close quarter situations. Better than a wooden stick (unless it was filled with lead) in most cases. Steel flashlights made them obsolete but they don't rat-a-tat like the old Convoys.(you old guys know what I'm talking about)
 
Just reading about these weapons. Plenty cool if not on the receiving end.
FYI, Possession of Saps and Blackjacks are illegal in CA.
 
I would love to have a few just as the OP mentioned for pictures, do you think Lobo gun leather would custom make me one if I asked?
 
I use one still. It is a very heavy duty version and the head of it is filled with birdshot. It is an effective tool to say the least.
 
I would think that getting caught with one on you would be an immediate cause to take you in. But to have a couple for collecting purposes/photo props shouldn't be a problem.
If the authorities are in your home searching for something I think you'd already have bigger problems in the first place than an 'old antique'.
I was on dart league for a few years and carried one in seedy bars where we threw, finally just quit going to those places, easier than dealing with the outcome of some foolish confrontation.
Funny how as you get older you do get wiser ain't it?
RD
 
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