Les Apaches vs Highbinder Tongs: Tale of the Take

Welcome back one and all to the battle simulator!  To those who've followed my first match I thank you for your support and your comments.  It's been a while since my last post, but as I promised I give you a 19th century brawl between two notorious gangs on opposite sides of the globe.

Les Apaches: The infamous gangsters of the Parisian underworld.

Highbinder Tongs: The lethal enforcers of  San Francisco's Chinatown.

WHO...IS...DEADLIEST?!

Tale of the Take: Les Apaches

Era: 1900s
Location: Paris, France

During the turn of the 19th to 20th century, the Industrial Revolution was spreading throughout all of Europe, including France.  The Parisian upper to middle class enjoyed a classy, civilized lifestyle, blissfully unaware of the increasingly frustrated working-class that would spawn the backalley hoodlums of legendary infamy: Les Apaches. 

A catch-all term for the hoodlums of Paris' seedy underbelly, Les Apaches were known for their ruthless tactics against the middle class.  Poor and destitute like many lower class citizens of the time, these street-hardened thugs would often survive through violence and robbery.  Their tactics against their victims were so brutal that they were often compared to the vicious Native American warriors of the the Southwest, thus earning their infamous nickname.  Though they may seem like run-of-the-mill low-lives, the French Apache gangs gained enough of a terrifying reputation to keep the citizens of Paris on alert should they be unfortunate enough to turn into the wrong alley.

Short Range: Opinel Knife

This knife was one of the most popular folding knives amongst France's working class due to its inexpensive yet robust design.  Intended to be the everyman's utility knife for any situation, there's little doubt that the Apaches would have had knives such as these at all times. Known by many as a penny knife due to its low cost, this was a blade that even the poorest of ruffians would be able to obtain and make full use of.


Mid Range: Slungshot

Originally a maritime tool used to cast a line from one spot to another, the slungshot became a popular improvised weapon amongst 19th century street gangs.  Consisting of little more than a length of rope (or scarf) and a heavy weight, this weapon could be easily manufactured and concealed until the perfect moment arrives.  The cord would often be tied to the user's wrist, allowing the user to throw the weight at his victim, swing the weapon like a flail, or even garrote the victim if the need called for it.

Long Range: Bulldog Revolver

The Bulldog revolver was one of the most common concealed carry pistols in Europe during the late 19th to early 20th century.  Specifically designed to be carried in a coat pocket, the Bulldog would have been an ideal firearm for an Apache on the go.  It's 6 shot capacity for .32 caliber rounds and its double action trigger would have ensure relatively rapid fire for a quick getaway.


Special Weapon: Apache Revolver

This combination multitool is one of the most infamous weapons that the Apaches have been known to wield.  Part knuckleduster, part trench knife, and part pepperbox, the Apache revolver offered its user three deadly options of attack in a compact package.  Though the .27 caliber pinfire rounds were barely effective beyond point blank range, it would still be a significant advantage in an up-close and personal brawl many Apaches were known to have caused.









Tale of the Take: Highbinder Tongs

Era: 1875
Location: Chinatown, San Francisco


When the Chinese immigrated to the US during the 19th century, they created their own communities as a safe haven against an otherwise hostile society.  To protect Chinatown from hostile outsiders and keep the peace within the community, organizations known as Tongs were formed.  Though founded with noble intentions, many Tongs became a breeding ground for organized crime.  Should the demands of a Tong not be met, then the Highbinders would be brought in to enforce them.

The Highbinders, aptly named due to their distinct hairstyle of the time, were members of societies within Chinatown that specialized in doing the dirty work that the Tongs would require from them.  Whether it be extortion, turf wars, or straight up murder, the Highbinders would get the job done with lethal efficiency.  American police officers often called some of these killers "hatchetmen" due to their their brutal form of execution.  Though they would rarely associate with those outside of Chinatown, there is no doubt that the Highbinders command respect and fear from those who would dare cross them.

Short Range: Bishou

A common assassination tool of the Highbinders, these double-edged daggers varied from plain looking tools to ornate works of art.  Visually they resembled miniature versions of the jian (Chinese straightsword) and were highly effective when it came to close-range combat.  Great for both slashing and stabbing, this Chinese dagger became a favorite amongst the enforcers of Chinatown's Tongs.


Mid Range: Hatchet

The weapon that coined the term "hatchetmen", the hatchet was a tool that was widely available and prevalent throughout the early days of Chinatown.  Originally used to chop wood, hatchets would be equally effective at chopping people as well.  Some even attribute this weapon to the Highbinder's lethal practice of "death by 1000 cuts", making this common outdoor tool into a truly terrifying instrument of death.




Long Range: Colt Baby Dragoon

A "pocket-sized" version of the famous Colt Dragoon revolver, the Baby Dragoon was among Colt's first venture into lighter firearms for citizens who'd rather not holster a heavy hand-cannon all the time.  With 5 rounds in .31 ball caliber, this weapon was more powerful and reliable than a Derringer, which in turn made it popular with travelers, prospectors, and anybody else living a mobile lifestyle.  Given its widespread nature during the California Gold Rush, the Baby Dragoon would have been a firearm that was readily available for immigrant Chinese settlers to procure, thus putting them in the hands of the Highbinders.

Special Weapon: Hudiedao

Various news reports of the time would note the Highbinder's use of a peculiar pair of swords with 2 ft blades that were carried as one.  Called the Hudiedao in its native tongue, these long bladed variants of the butterfly swords were always used in conjunction with each other for a lethal fury of steel.  Though your average Highbinder may or may not have been a master of kung fu, the hudiedao were notheless lethal weapons in any capable pair of hands.

X factors coming soon..