FINEST QUALITY GENUINE 24 INCH VINTAGE 2-TAIL LOCHGELLY TAWSE BY JOHN J. DICK CIRCA 1950

 

This is a superb example of vintage 2-Tail Lochgelly Tawse made by the Scotland's most famous maker John J Dick dating from around 1950. 

 

The condition of this piece is amazing; the leather is perfect with no cracking at all. Of course it does have a patina from use and a few surface marks, which are entirely commensurate with age & use and add to the character of this piece of social history.

 

It was used by a teacher in a Junior Secondary School in rural Perthshire during the 1950's & 1960's and as a pupil at that school during that period I can personally attest to its effectiveness and deterrent qualities. The teacher in question was my father's cousin, which is how I came to own this piece, unfortunately that relationship did not get me an amnesty when I was 10 years old!

 

Make no mistake, this is the finest quality example you will find anywhere and it even makes later examples by the same famous manufacturer pale into insignificance when you compare the stats (see below). Indeed the heavy weight leather used to manufacture this tawse would be impossible to find today. 

 

This Tawse is: 24 inches long; 

It is 1 1/4 inches wide; and 

The leather is a full 1/4 inch thick! 

All of which means it weighs a mighty 148 grams.

 

For those who don't know 'the tawse', 'the strap' or 'the belt' were all names for the same piece of equipment, of which this (please see photographs) is a supreme example. 

 

It was used during a period when corporal punishment was accepted as necessary in schools for teachers to maintain control & discipline and in many schools it was used with amazing regularity for misdemeanours ranging from: talking in class; forgetting to do homework; fighting with another pupil; insubordination; etc.

 

It would normally be administered to the palms of the hand (often in front of the rest of the class) and depending on the severity of the offence or the mood of the teacher it could be administered up to six times in succession ('six of the best'). The use of the tawse had an obvious impact and played a huge part in the making of reputations within a school (teacher's and pupils). 

 

So there you have it the finest example of a genuine Lochgelly Tawse that has been used in anger that you are ever likely to find. 

 Please note that I have just added an extra couple of pictures of the makers stamp/logo following a number of requests from potential buyers.

Any Questions - Please Ask

 

(Please take a moment to look at my other listings for more examples of rare collectables and fine antiquities)