Know your Knots ?

[painter777]

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

Information

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[browningautorifle]

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

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

[Paul S.]

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

[CINDERS]

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.

[old tanker]

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.

[browningautorifle]

pine tar

Yes...

[Peter Laidler]

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

[CINDERS]

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.