top of page
  • Writer's pictureHannah Baker

Types of Batons Used in the Past and Present

Batons have gradually replaced and renamed as self defense batons. This is mainly because of their adoption as self defense weapons. People are eager to keep them to deal with the attackers.

self Defense Baton
Self Defense Baton

People are eager to keep them to deal with the attackers. And rightly so, they are extremely useful when you are in trouble during an emergency or survival situation. A large, hard-hitting baton would make the attackers fearful and they won’t dare to come closer to you. They would know that they are likely to get the worst beating with a Self defense baton.


You must have used an expandable baton which is a modern type of baton. But, how many types of batons are you familiar with? There were different types of batons used in the past that still exist today, but not that popular. We have compiled a list of different types of batons being used in the present and past.

Straight Wooden Baton

These weapons are still known to be the most reliable and useful weapons used by the police.

Do you what were the earliest weapons used by the law enforcement? Truncheons, wooden billy clubs, espantoons, fire axe handles and batons were among the earliest weapons used by the law enforcement agencies. The skills of handling and using batons was considered a point of pride by the police officers. They used them for guiding traffic, communication, and detaining the suspected criminals. During the Victorian Period, the billy clubs were decorated individually with the Royal coat of arms for donating their services to the crown. In addition, they were marked with the family crest and initials of the users. Since the early days, the armed forces were usually discouraged from the utilization of self defense batons for delivering the deadly strikes to the suspects. The earlier wooden designs, however, were pretty sturdy and could cause serious damage, such as breaking bones when applied to some vulnerable targets on the body of the suspected criminals.



Side Handle Baton

A side-handle baton became popular to the law enforcement in the United States during 1972. A great example of this is the PR-24. The PR-24 had an iconic design and was used by the police department of Los Angeles. However, it was later popularized in other states of America.

The design of PR-24 provided the baton an ability to serve as a self defense weapon instead of just an offensive tool. It included a side handle and he police officers could use it for holding the PR-24 as a splint. This allowed them to us the baton for blocking the incoming strikes. It also included a Y-gap developed by the short arm and the side handle of the baton for controlling the arm, wrist, pinch or neck of the suspected criminal. That shift from the striking weapon to a self defense baton pushed several other departments to replace the straight wooden baton with side handle baton.


The PR-24 also led to a trend of using the batons for self defense. The civilians were also inclined towards these batons and adopted them as self defense weapons. The PR-24 is indeed less intuitive as compared to a straight wooden baton. However, it provides more options for crowd control and self defense if used after proper training. In addition, it is available in the shape of expandable baton in order to fit perfectly with the belt of an officer.



Expendable Baton

it is even more popular among the civilians who use them as a self defense weapon.

This is a type of self defense batons many of you are familiar with. They are the modern type of batons, but founded in 1976. They are widely used nowadays by the police officers as a more convenient option.

922 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page