One of our officers made an interesting concealed weapons arrest this week involving an unusual weapon which was found on the person of the defendant. The story 
piqued the interest of the reporters later at the daily media briefing, and resulted in a few stories. During lineup on Tuesday morning Capt. Jim Davidsaver briefed officers on this case and described the man has been armed with this mace. As lineup concluded, I asked him this question: "What is the difference between a mace and a flail?" It was a rhetorical question. I already knew the answer.
The distinction between the two is this: a mace is a fixed club with some kind of striking head, often with flanges, knobs, spikes or protrusions of some sort. The spiked variety may also be correctly referred to as a morning star. A flail, on the other hand, combines a handle and a striker by means of a flexible connection such as a hinge or chain. The object above is a flail, not a mace. The object on the right is an example of a mace.
You know how gun aficionados cringe when someone refers to a semi-automatic rifle as an automatic weapon? This is the same kind of error in medieval weaponry. I hate to be a stickler, but by pointing this out the, perhaps I can prevent someone in the future confusing a catapult with a trebuchet.
Here endeth the lesson. I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek.
25 comments:
I'm curious to know if the suspect was wearing chain maille when contacted? For the love of PETE! A mace? What is this world coming to?
I can't wait for the comments from "Arrrgh"! hehe
Chief-Just curious. If his flail wasn't concealed, but was "open- carry" would it be legal?
256
OUCH!! That looks like it would really hurt-Tis only a flesh wound. But, you have no arms or legs...I'll still fight you, come closer. :) Riding a bike with one of these in your Hooded Sweetshirt pocket and the age of 29?? What, still unanswered questions. Anywho, excellent job properly identifying the weapon and presenting it in a fun and informative way.
With Police Graduation quickly approaching, I bet your new recruits are eager to hit the streets and just in time for "Red Ribbon, Tie one on for Safety." Thanks LPD and keep up the good fight!!
Chain Maille might not be the best weather related armour @ this time of year.
I'd go with a sturdy Leather Armour, perhaps w/ studding to help their own armour class, that way the THACO of the potential attacker would have to be lower thusly they'd have to roll a better number on their dice.
D&D nerd speek rant. :-)
I don't know that I'd want to be anyhere near the person swinging that thing around. It appears the chain links are not welded links and that they might easily come apart. I'd have to wonder if that one is only a replica and never intended to be used.
On the other hand, I believe people should have the right to defend themselves by whatever means they have available and wherever they have a legal right to be. Sure, this guy could have carried the flail in the open and been within his legal rights, but wouldn't he then have been considered even more suspicious than he already was? Besides, it might have gotten caught up in his spokes.
One thing that struck me about that story at the Stinkin' Urinal-Jar was that they didn't give his name, even though he'd been cited for a misdemeanor. I wanted to run him at the County Attorney's site to check for prior cases and convictions, but lacking a name, that wasn't possible.
I don't want to pass judgment on this guy because I don't have any idea about his character. However I can understand the need for having protection. Many decent and upright citizens are out in the wee hours going to and from work. This fellow may have a criminal record I don't know. If he has a checkered past I would judge him harshly.
Gun Nut
Since assault weapon doesn't seem to make it into the AP stylebook, I wouldn't hold my breath on a mace or flail..
Just remember the 21 foot rule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk59imFr6yI
Or even the 121 foot rule:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_6bmrqIsP8&NR=1
It's so good to see someone who knows the difference between a mace and flail!
That said, I think a flail is good for self-defense. I know that I feel more comfortable with my late medieval German war ax under the head of my bead more than I ever would having a gun.
Just personal preference. Besides, with a kid in elementary school, there is less danger of an accidental bludgeoning than there is an accidental shooting.
That's said, on Halloween by husband always comments about how the local police look at him suspiciously for carrying his broadsword, but if he carried a baseball bat no one would give him a second glance.
Sorry, 8:53, chain mail is better than any leather, studded or otherwise, unless it has an enhancement bonus. Or it's dragon scale.
256-
If his flail wasn't concealed, I believe it would be indecent exposure.
Looks like a good replacement tool for our batons.
So what did the Officer ask the guy? "Is that a mace in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"
No really, only one mace? Lightweight.....
Cozy Cataloger-
My recently departed State Trooper Father gave me some valuable advice at a young age about "equalizers".
He said something like "Son, never bring a broadsword or antique German war ax to a gunfight."
Besides, I have numerous weapons that I can legally carry that are a lot easier to conceal that will at least make a bunch of noise while I wait for the Police or coroner to respond.
256
ARRRRG!!!!, you did not disappoint me, thanks for the laugh! It was badly needed.
Ok, your catapult vs. trebuchet comment made me chuckle. Even more subtle a difference than mace vs. flail, despite there being nothing terribly subtle about siege engines! :) Thanks Chief!
Some more insight as to why this was a bigger problem. The chemicals he had ingested (k-2 by his own admission) were likely the cause of his hallucinations and lack of better judgement.
Chief...if you go to thinkgeek.com you can get desk top models of both a trebuchet and a catapult, and they work. No one should confuse their ballistics!
@4:57, no offense taken.
I speak simply from the relative warmth provided by the leather version in current weather conditions.
If I were going simply by armour class enhancment, then yes the CM or even DS would be preferable.
Speaking of trebuchets, this takes a little time, but you can make your own paper version that will chuck a grape across the room (I would recommend using card stock)
http://www.teamdroid.com/archives/2005/06/09/build-a-paper-trebuchet/
Slightly more useful than a blow-dart gun I guess? lol
3:31's comment brought back a memory of the ingenuity of some of the inmates at NSP. During a shakedown of an inmates cell a tightly rolled calendar and several darts made from paper clips were discovered. The creative minds of some of those guys always amazed me. Who knows how many Edisons are behind bars that just needed a push in the right direction.
Gun Nut
Hmmmm...Chief you always struck me as a "Live in mom's basement, Renaissance Fair going...World of Warcraft playing kinda guy....Now I know. It's true.
I thought a mace was a chemical irritant, especially potent on your fellow officers :)
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