Know your Knots ?

My Father in Law found this above the basement floor joists/cold air returns.
Had bought the house from a life long Navy veteran.
It is 16" long, feels like 3/4 lb. Rope still has some black (paint?) on it.
Feels like it could do some damage if hit with it, like some ole time street thug would find handy.

Any guesses ?

Charlie-Painter777

http://www.milsurps.com/images/impor...DSC07129-1.jpg


http://www.milsurps.com/images/impor...DSC07130-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/impor...DSC07134-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/impor...DSC07135-1.jpg

Isn't that called a monkey fist? Used for casting line or for measuring depth?

http://www.animatedknots.com/monkeysfist/index.php

Yep, it's a monkey fist, and it is made and used by sailors for casting a line.

Also a nice and handy skull cracker for rowdy sailors...........infact I have only just thrown out my monkeys fist made for me by a rigger out of 16mm Manila the ball end was quite tight like a rock and would have hurt if connecting your bonnet.

I'd venture the "black paint" is pine tar. "Worm and parcel with the lay, turn and serve the other way..." Pine tar has a long history and association with sailors, from keeping the rigging waterproofed to their hair in place. They were not called 'jack tars' for nothing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by old tanker

pine tar

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Yes...

It's amazing what you learn on this site.......!

The constrictor knot or gunners knot is one of the most effective binding knots. Simple and secure, it is a harsh knot that can be difficult or impossible to untie once tightened.
If you used it to say tie up a prisoners hands behind their backs the knot so tightened would eventually stop the circulation completely and they cannot wriggle it free.