Brian Wolfe

Hi Darrell,

It takes a special kind of intestinal fortitude to sail off into U-boat infested waters not knowing if and or when you'll be sunk and with no way to defend yourself.

I've always liked these medals, thanks for the post.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Here is an identification armlet or brassard of the type worn by the Staffordshire Police Special Constables during the WW I period. These are generic and this particular specimen, while exactly the same as worn by the Staffs Specials, is not directly from their police service.

These were worn over the coat sleeve and were held in place by a cloth belt as in the case of this specimen. Some other types such as the round shape bassard was held in place by a leather strap. The bassard is made of aluminum and measures 106 mm wide (110 mm along the curvature) and 49 mm in height ( 59 mm in height at the belt loops). This one is marked HIATT& Co B'HAM along the border, bottom front.

I will be posting more items regarding Special Constables later and setting up a separate section under the member's gallery for that part of my collection.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Here are a couple of shoulder titles and a slip-on from the Staffordshire Police service as worn by their Special Constables. These are generic and can be found used by many police services but in this case they came directly from a member of the Staffordshire Police.

The Special Constabulary was founded during WWI due to the need for officers to replace those who had joined the military. Special Constables were employed on a part-time basis and Specials have continued to serve their community to the present day.

Regards

Brian

Unless things have changed, I checked many years ago and there shouldn't be any customs payable on antique/old medals in Canada. If the medal is new, then they can. But then, it appears that the rules are open to interpretation by the customs official. But what really makes me mad is getting an invoice from Canada Customs stating that I owe them $12 in administration fee for them to tell me that I don't have to pay customs on the medal I've just received. And to add insult to injury, you have to pay the fee in order to get the package. Only in Canada, eh...

JPL

Welcome to the forum JPL.

I have never had this happen but it seems that the rules do indeed change with each interpretation so anything is possible.

Barrie eh? I heading to the 401 Antiques Market this weekend. Have you been there and is it worth my time?

Regards from the sunny south (of Ontario).

Brian

Mervyn wrote:

Actually this is old tale that is incorrect. There is no customs duty on medals coming into the United States regardless of age. The applicable section of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2001) (Rev. 1) is "HTS: 9705.00.0090" which states that ?collections and collectors pieces of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, paleontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest? are duty free. Medals fall under the collectible items of numismatic interest. The customs' declaration on the package should include the phrases "HTS: 9705.00.0090" and "Collectors pieces of numismatic interest." I have no idea whether this will work for Canada. I was under the impression that in Canada and the U. K. that the charges were a value added tax rather than a custom's duty.

Regards. Gunner 1

I believe you are corect. I have paid several times for medals that were over $150.00 though never for anything under that amount. I don't know the exact figure where you start paying but it has been $150.00 for me. So it seems to be value based.

Regards

Brian

Welcome to the forum and please post more.

I liked your first post very much.

Regards

Brian

Very nice truncheon and from Staffordshire no less.

Thanks for posting it.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

This is a cloth patch that was issued to the Staffordshire Police service who were serving during the Queen's Jubilee. This commemoritive patch was worn on the lower sleeve and measures 45mm in diameter. These disapeared from use as new jackets were issues to replace worn ones and the patches were usually not transferred to the new jacket by the officers.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

This is an obsolete sleeve badge that was worn by the Staffordshire Police service to indicate the officer was trained in first aid. While these are arguably generic in appearance I know for a fact that this one was issued to the Staffordshire Police service. The badge measures 33mm in diameter and is held onto the sleeve by a pin that ran through two loops. This badge is metal and in mint condition though the photo makes it look as if there is some wear. There is a small plate affixed to the back of the badge that reads, REGISTERED AT ST. JOHNS GATE LONDON.

These first aid badges were discontinued in 1960.

Regards

Brian

Thanks Darrell and Ed for the info,

I knew in the back of my mind about the obverse/reverse thing but somehow it makes more sense to have the Monarch on the back I paid less than market value for it (170 Canadian dollars, not sure if that is a fair price for this example) and it was sold as an introductory medal to the QSA's. The dealer has a couple more named examples that he is asking almost twice as much for. Also, out here in Western Canada it is almost impossible to find any selection of reference books, if anyone knows of a good source please let me know. I have the Medal Yearbook which has some prices mentioned but that is it for British books for me. I just wanted an example to accompany my ww2 and ww1 British medals, maybe I'll delve deeper in this area in the future.

Thanks,

Pat

Hi Pat,

Hmm, "the Monarch on the back", now there's tinder for a heated debate, especially on a British based forum. I'm sure this was tongue-in-cheek.

I rather like the medal, though as Darrell and Ed pointed out it has its flaws.

Regards

Brian

Hi Brian, pity no close ups, I clearly remember the "Boys in blue" with the early Stoke Noddy Helmet and badge, wagging a finger at me for not being ?a "Good Boy", they actually caught me having a crafty fag (Cigarette, and? under age ?by the local canal side.

As I mentioned, early memories, (I've have since, of course grown into an eminently responsible and trustworthy member of society!! )

regards

Alex

I too have mended my ways, I wish it were due to the wisdom of age but alas it's just age.

Regards

Brian

This is a photo of C.H. Kelly Esq., C.B.E., K.St.J., Q.P.M., D.L., LL.B. Chief Constable of Staffordshire taken for the 150th Anniversary of the Staffordshire Police in 1992. As may be seen in the photo the Chief Constable is wearing the same style hat badge as shown previously.

Regards

Brian

This is an example of a warrant badge which is issued to every Staffordshire Police Officer. The badge is affixed to the leather warrant card holder.

Thanks goes out to Dave Wilikinson for this information.

Regards

Brian

Next up is the Officer's pattern. This would be a rank above the Constable, a Sergeant, for example. The blue ring is enamel and the badge is held on the hat by two claws that are inserted into the hat then spread apart. The badge measures 43mm wide and 51mm in height.

Hello Everyone,

Continuing with my theme of Staffordshire Police memorabilia I am posting three hat badges which I believe to be the current issue. They all have the Queen's Crown.

The first is the Police Constable issue. This badge was very difficult to photograph due to the plating being so bright. When I got this badge I opened it in my office on a very sunny day and could not see the wording on the badge at all. Of course it reads Staffordshire Police. The badge measures 33mm wide and 50mm in height and is held on the hat by a slider device. The slider is marked FIRMIN. LONDON.

Regards

Brian

Ah! memories, I'm a Stoke-on-Trent lad born and bred, thanks for posting, It seems odd to see these appearing from distant areas of the globe

regards

Alex

Edit, I seem to recall that earlier versions of the "Noddy" hat badge actually had the City's coat of arms in the centre (Same metal as the badge, not enamelled) instead of the "Staffordshire knot" and was a starburst and crown device, sorry this is best I can do

Hi Alex,

I don't have any examples except for some photos of the Stoke-on-Trent helmet plates. Of the seven pictured (4 King's Crown & 3 Queen's Crown) all have the City's coat of arms.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Here is an example of the first pattern of helmet plate for the Staffordshire Police service. The plate with its Queen"s Crown measures 92mm wide and 120mm in height. There are three claws on the back to affix the plate to the helmet. The second pattern had a large screw device for attachment. On the back of this plate is a label which reads,

WARNING!

VITREOUS ENAMEL

IS BRITTLE. ON NO

ACCOUNT MUST THIS

HELMET PLATE BE BENT.

It looks like the officers were bending the plates to make them match the curvature of the helmet with disastrous consequences.

Regards

Brian

Brian - I have some photos of the Staffordshire 'noddy' helmet and will post them in a day or so. Meanwhile, I think your posts have been very interesting and worthwhile - not enough is known about the County Forces. I have been trying to remember what is famous about the Staffordshire knot - if lovers each pull an end does it getter tighter ,or come loose ?

Mervyn

Hello Mervyn and Leigh,

I have not heard of the story about the lovers but the story of being able to hang three men at one time is one I am familiar with. I have the full history of the Staffordshire knot somewhere in my files and I will post this story when I find it.

I would be very interested in see the 'noddy' helmet photos Mervyn, not to mention the possibility of adding one to my collection.

Regards

Brian

All 3 in silver chromed finish? - (they look gold coloured on my screen).

They are in a silver finish not gold.

Sorry for the poor colour, I hadn't noticed it on my screen when I posted but now I view them again I see there is a slight gold hue.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Here is an example of a helmet plate as used by the Staffordshire Police. The Staffordshire knot is gold rather than the usual silver. The Plate with its Queen's Crown measures 95mm wide and 120mm in height. The plate is held to the helmet by a large screw device which denotes it as the second issue as the first issue has a three claw attachment arrangement and the first issue example in my collection has the familiar silver knot. There is a sharp pin on the back of the crown to prevent the plate from getting out of alignment which is not necessary with the first issue (three claw attachment) or double loop arangement seen on the pre -amalgamation plates.

Regards

Brian

Here are two Staffordshire County hat badges that would have been issued to a Constable. They both measure 32 mm wide and 50mm in height. The badges were held in place by a slider which is evident in the photo.

For those who don't know, the King's Crown is the one on the left and the Queen's Crown on the right.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Here is an example of an obsolete helmet plate from the Staffordshire County Police service. This plate with its Queen's Crown measures 45mm wide and 80mm in height. The green enamel is a lot darker than the photo shows, in fact it looks almost black. The plate was held on the helmet with a pin that ran through two lugs or loops.

I am posting these Staffordshire police items on the collector's gallery as well.

Regards

Brian

A very nice photo. The dogs seem to be concentrating on the same thing as the soldiers, if it was staged then they have done a good job.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards

Brian

Brian, both Queen's crown and good examples. I always think it is good to collect for one Force. I will post the 'Noddy' helmet later and you can let me know if you have any interest? (I'm not sure how to reply on My Asst.)

Mervyn

Thanks Mervyn,

You can also use my email address, brian.wolfe@sympatico.ca

Regards

Brian

Was the cap badge Inspectors & above only?

I believe that is the case, though I stand to be corrected, the PC badge is round.

Regards

Brian