David68

Hi Dave, your more than welcome to pop round for a brew and bit of cake if you ever find yourself in these parts. Thanks for your comments Mike. Your right when you say collections get overrun. I’ve thinned out a lot to get it looking tidy.

Been looking for somewhere to put my bits and bobs for a while. I’ve converted the rear of my garage into an office and although it’s a working progress i’m very pleased with the results so far.

I’d like to get your views on this armband I have. It doesn’t have a buckle but I believe it to be genuine.

I have another of his helmet badge but don’t seem to be having much luck uploading it. I will keep trying

Hi Alan, hopefully the photos are showing now. Enjoy. David

My Brother popped along to the Jack the Ripper museum in Whitechapel a couple of days ago. He sent me a couple of photos of PC Watkins original whistle, notebook and handcuffs that were donated to the museum by his Family. hope they are of interest.

Give me a rattle over a vuvuzelas any day.

Thats great. Nice to know its background. Only paid £25 for it and it will look nice in the background of my collection. thanks for letting me know.

Just looking for your views on this rattle please. Could this possibly be a police rattle?

Dave your a star. Thank you.

Gents, is there anyone who could kindly post a picture of a Met Police cape please. I am looking for one to add to my collection but I'm not sure of the correct look. Did they just have a chain? Or did they have a lion head. We're the numbers worn on the collar etc. Thanks as always for any help on this. Dave

Hoping someone can help me with this. I'm looking for a Metropolitan Police Cape with chain/numbers if possible. This will be used for display to go with the tunic and helmet you see in the picture below. I was lent one of these old capes when I did a very cold night duty a few years back at Balmoral, it was so cold I felt like I was dancing. Anyway, the cape was more affective than any of the kit we had at keeping out the cold. so if anyone has one they would like to sell please let me know. Thank you Sorry about the picture. For some reason I can't right it.

Hi Alan, if you done the 'share this post' way it would look like the above. Or you could just 'cut and paste' the stories and then add in the pictures.

Very much looking forward to that one Alan. It would of been fascinating to have had a conversation with the man who 100 years ago did the same roll as I do now. Dave

I'd have to agree with Mike on this. I'm no expert but the ribbon certainly surgests it's a Kings police medal which if I'm not mistaken came into being in 1909 so fits with the date. The Coronation medal doesn't have the broad lines as the Kings medal.

Thanks guys. I will leave this well alone then. I came across it in an antique store today.

I’m looking at possibly buying this. Can anyone tell me anything about the artwork or possible I d on it. County force Met? Any info would be most welcome thank you

Thank you gents for the information. It's very much appreciated. Due to this and the fact I only really collect Met items I'm going to put it up for sale if anyone's interested.

Thank you chaps. Yes a cape would be nice. I will keep my eyes open.

Finally the tunic I've been for waiting for has arrived. I already own the helmet that goes with it. They were worn by an officer from West Ham division. The original duty arm band is also present. A massive thank you must go to Dave Wilkinson who had a snake belt to finish it. Thank you Dave for your help. I found the date stamped at the back of the tunic which is great. There are two dates. One looks like 1947 and there is another stamped over it which is 1952. Does the double date mean it was re-issued? its now taken pride of place next to my own tunic and helmet.

I've just brought a Special Constable Duty Arm Band showing the number 376 on its plate. can I ask, does the number meen anything? Or are they just like shoulder numbers, a way of identifying an officer until the number is passed on? I'm hoping (being a Met officer myself) that it may in fact be a Metropolitan police band but again I'm not an expert and simply don't know. could someone let me know what dates these were issued please, WW1- 2? thank you for any info you can give me. It's always nice to have a little information and history on an item I have brought. Dave Here's the one I'm talking about

Hi Ian, I've sent you a message

Thanks Brian, I've just sent a message to him.

I’ve been looking round with not much success. i would also love to find a good website/shop/dealer that sell mainly antique police items if anyone has any links they could post.