Dave Martin didn't use props all that often, but when he did, they tended to be either sports equipment or just a simple staff.  This makes sense on two levels.  First, Dave specialized in college athletes, so it would be natural to play off the sports angle.  Secondly, the staff was widely used in the 1940's and 50's as a reference to Classical art and 19th Century academic drawings.  I should note that Dave also worked with a lot of military men, policemen, and fire fighters.  One of the all time great physique models, Norman Tousley, was an Alameda, California fireman.