The Kegel has a long and diverse history as a game, religious and superstitious practice and a means of gambling. Its origins can be traced to prehistoric ages where it played a part in the skills for hunting and warfare.

Egypt provided one of the earliest artefacts of the Kegel discovered in a child's tomb dating back to around 5,200BC

Polynesia has had a game similar to bowling, where stones were used to knock over pins dating back several centuries.

In the 12th century the Kegel began its early development in Europe as a game. This brought about considerable gambling and gambling brought about crime and violence. Eventually in 1335 it was banned and not for over 100 years was it allowed again but only under strict control at special events. By the 17th century the game of Kegel was freely played whenever celebrations or social gatherings were had.

In Germany from the 3rd century AD the Kegel was a common defensive weapon for peasants and was also used at the churches as a test for sin. Knocking your Kegel over with a stone meant you were sin free or had killed the Pagans.

Kegel play even attracted the death sentence in Germany when it was banned such was the belief that it was an evil practice that led to crime and poverty.

Kings of England also banned the Kegel as it was thought that it caused their citizens and soldiers to neglect their weaponry training.

The Kegel was not only considered as a weapon of self-defence, it was also a common hammer-like work tool of choice.

In self-defence the Kegel was easy to carry around and conceal. It was well suited at close quarters to bludgeon an attacker delivering devastating blows.

While originally the Kegel may have been made of wood, as time went on, it has evolved into a baton for self-defence including solid cores of such material as lead.