MAIL COACH TRUNCHEON - 1840's

[Mervyn Mitton]

We haven't had a truncheon for a while - and this is a rare one. Queen Victoria - it is named in a spiral - ' FOR HER MAJESTY'S MAIL COACHES LONDON TO READING '. I have never seen one named for mail coaches and some people doubt if they existed. Each mail coach was run by different companies and so , equipment will differ. Yes, we know the guards carried blunderbus's - and swords - and on occasion, pistols. So, it is quite logical that truncheons could also be issued.

This would date from the early days of her reign - say 1840's.