Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:53:42-1:57:10

The cosh as unofficial wartime equipment

The cosh or blackjack is a likely example of widely used unofficial wartime equipment, with a simple improvised construction.

Improvised WeaponsMilitary EquipmentWorld War II
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What was probably among the most common pieces of unofficial equipment in the Second World War?

Short answer

A cosh or blackjack: an improvised weighted club made from rubber or hose around lead weight or shot.

Notes

The cosh is a leading candidate for common unofficial equipment during the Second World War. This simple improvised weapon could be made from a rubberized sock or length of hose containing a lead weight or lead shot. The same basic object could be called a blackjack, so accounts may use several names for broadly similar weighted clubs. The identification remains cautious and does not make a quantified claim about every service.