Nightbreak Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) I found this one on E-bay and it is *tiny*. It's (as the listing stated) obviously ceremonial, as opposed to a practical truncheon. Edited March 6, 2014 by Nightbreak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Nightbreak - as you say George 4th (1820-30). This style is known as a Baluster shape and was in common use, particularly around the Manchester area. This one is in poor condition - one of the problems with old truncheons is that when a hammer is needed - they were often substituted. You can actually see the cut cross nail heads. The rest of the body is still nicely polished - they served as both a tipstaff and an emergency weapon - usually about 7 to 10 inches long ( 18-27cm). With this condition I think up to 150 pounds would be ample ($240) Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightbreak Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Then I was very lucky, as I acquired this specimen for only 60 pounds. When looking around the internet, I saw a much better condition Victorian one (exactly the same, except for a ribbed handle) with the Manchester City coat of arms on it. It had sold last year at auction for 80 pounds. I was just unsure as to where it would have been used, with nothing but the crown and cipher. Would this be just a piece used for identification of an officer, or a desk piece? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 A tipstaff (tipstave - a plurality word) was the badge of office for many different categories. Judges, Chief Constables, Parish Constables, Insspectors of Pavements - really, anyone of some importance who needed to show their authority. Their history can be traced back a thousand years. Most disappeared from use in the late Victorian period - although some are still used on ceremonial occasions. Your Manchester tipstaff was a silly price - more like 4/500 pounds. However, not everyone recognises them. My book showed that there are probably between 2 and 3000 still in existance. If you are going to collect you need a ref. book. Some copies are in the UK - if you want to buy a copy please IM me. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightbreak Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 I'll pick up a copy of your book sooner or later. I've seen it in places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightbreak Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Actually, I just found a copy of The Policeman's Lot for a good price from a UK seller. It's being shipped to me right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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