Greetings fellow members and collectors. I firstly apologise for joining this thread somewhat late, as I have always used this site as an occasional means of interest and education, watching from the wings so to speak and now breaking cover as seems appropriate, in response to what is the most enjoyable and informative thread!.
Amongst my humble collection (pic1), and first of the early Met truncheons, incidentally purchased about 30 years ago!, is a plain mid wood shade example, 17" in length, 5 1/2" circumference at the top, double stamped and identical to Mike's example above, with a name written neatly on it's side in black faded paint, possibly 'Sawteel' (see what you think!?) and retaining it's original price tag of £20! and dated 1880/90 by the dealer.
My reason for showing that example is really as a means to allow comparison with my second and more interesting piece (pic2). Whilst the dimensions are similar, they are certainly not exact, 17 1/2 in length and 4 3/4" circumference at top, but what you may expect from simply made pieces that we agree were made on mass and 'on the hurry up'. Again it is double stamped MP with crown above and in the very same distance as the first example. My main point for bringing this to your attention is the addition of the painted ' VR', Crown and date of what best looks like 1868 (i feel the 6 being more likely than a 8, but feasible this too could be an 1888 example! and stand to be corrected!, with time, knocks and scratches)..
Lastly, at least with my posted pics on this entry, is my Met Inspector's example, similar again to Mike's example, in reasonable condition but with paint wear from what could have been from continued rubbing against a leather pouch?... did Inspectors get issued a smaller leather canister type pouch at this time?. My example is stamped on the rear just above the grip with a 'B' over the number 33. My guess B district/division, so Kensington - Chelsea (as it roughly still is, and having served there) with the number being an issue number, as far as I know, Inspectors were not assigned a collar or shoulder number as it is now referred to?.
Other pics to follow on due to data issues.
Hope the above has added to the mix, and nice to be part of it with kindred Brethren!.
Will post more on the topic of the P.O.H.G. truncheon in the next few days!
Bob.