Mervyn Mitton

This is a very interesting South African shako - worn by the State President'd Guard until the change over in 1994. This was worn during normal parades and guard postings - for ceremonial occasions there was a white pith helmet , with spike, however, both used the same enamel badge. They have become rare.

I thought this close-up might be of interest and get a new subject going ? Known as the Austrian Side Cap - this example is for a Major General (and prob. Lt.Gen.) and has the three quarter size bullion cap badge. Mervyn Mitton

Lovely Inspector's uniform and great condition. I don't think this is the correct helmet - although, if it came with the uniform, it must have the provenance. I seem to remember the helmet having a band of black on top of the peak - as for the cap. Mervyn

Well seasoned - without doubt, at their age ! Wouldn't know about bone grafts - I've probably broken a few with mine !!! I would always tell violent yobs, that I wasn't paid enough to be their 'Aunt Sally'

Very similar to the pattern from Wales that also used the metal chin strap. I would say pre-1stWorld War. I have never seen this style for Bristol - you are breaking new ground. Have you researched it at all ? Incidentally - you gave dates for George V1 on your Ch.Supt's helmet - but, from what I can see on the angle, the cypher looks like George V ?

The interwoven leather strap is not common and I hadn't known that Cambridgeshire used it as standard. With the collection still being mainly in UK I was working from a small camera picture and couldn't see the detail. Machine sewn straps are the norm - sometimes a rivet. My spare truncheon was a lovely lignum vitae example given to my Father as a special during the Great Strike of 1926. The strap had perished so I had a dog lead cut down and sewn on - I was the only one with a blue strap ! All original truncheons were in three different woods - lignum vitae; teak and ebony. None of them float in water and don't shatter . Most are over 100 years old - in the early 70's they started to replace damaged ones with rosewood - and as you so rightly say, they are light and break easily - not that it matters with the new commando style. I say that because in the the 1960's I visited Berlin and bought the identical style - it was shown as being issued to the West German army. Mervyn

I should think anything from Huntingdonshire would be rare and sought after - they must have been a small force?

Ranks above Inspector always wore patent leather sword slings - basically to show officer rank. The actual carrying of swords was discontinued in Victorian times. I have just sold to a collector one of this pattern sword - based on the artillery. Are you associated with the police in any way or, just have the interest? I'm only being nosy - there aren't that many collector's with your quality of pieces. Mervyn

Dear Jamie - you have a great collection - the condition of the ones you have shown are exceptional. Hard to say exactly for dates, however your Newcastle is prob. George V and therefore, could be as early as 1910. Edward crowns are often more angular. The Edinburgh one has a superb silver gilt plate - worth a fortune in itself.Do you have other police material ,or, have you specialised in headgear. Look forward to seeing other posts. Mervyn

The Met. Police Inspectors and above wore helmets on major parades - i.e. Trooping the Colour. These were issued, but only inner divisions - under 5000 men were called on for these events. The inspectors pattern still had the chin chain, and was not so elaborate. This one has the 'furniture' in silver and with a rope pattern. The Commander of the parade - remember, it may be a military event, but, under police control - was usually an Asst. Comm. who wore a cocked hat with plumes, a heavily embroidered tunic with austrian cording. A ch.supt. would have a similar tunic, but not so ornate. Inner div. P.C.'s were issued with No.1 dress - this buttoned to the collar and had buttons on the pleated rear - we wore white gloves. When they were withdrawn in 1973 the Met sold them at ?3.50 to Elstree film studios !!!! You rarely see helmets of this quality and it has to have a value of about, ?750.

When despatching to the US , if it is an old item the purchasers always ask us to put 'old' or 'antique' on the declaration as it is then exempy from import duty (or, at least lower). Would this description help with Canadian Customs ?

You will note that the finish is brass - it doesn't rust. The original type of this shaped short sword , was called a Hounslow Hanger and was carried by people in the 18C. on Hounslow Heath to guard against highway men. I have no idea why the name 'hanger' - perhaps something to do with it's shape?

Wasn't sure if this one should be under Swords - however, it is specifically for the police. Very few people realise that the early British police were armed - we mostly associate them with wooden truncheons. The fact is that in the 19th.century policing was a very dangerous occupation - there was no proper street lighting , no way to call for help (apart from a rattle) and the criminal element were armed and willing to use their weapons. The first policeman was killed only a few weeks after they first went on duty in 1829 - he was stuck head first into a drain ! Swords - and pistols - were mostly kept in the Station - to be issued in an emergency - they were issued on a regular basis to P.C.'s on dangerous beats. One of the most frightening must have been graveyard duty. To guard against body snatchers - or, as they were known, Resurrection Men, police patrolled cemetries at night. Grave robbers would dig-up recently buried corpses and sell them to medical schools and as a lot of money was involved they were violent. The sword shown here was supplied by Parker Field - armourers to the Metropolitan Police and dates between 1840 and the 1870's - although this pattern was for County Forces - the Met. having their own style. I will post one of those another time. Mervyn

Thought you might like to see the badges to go with your flashes. I believe the Special Forces unit was to guard the president and be in a state of readiness. Both were shown as being from 1980. Mervyn Mitton

Dear Will - the Zuid Afrikaans Republic Police items would be interesting - as you know, they are very rare now. We get badges in from time to time. Mervyn

Will - I did reply earlier, probably pressed return button and not add ! I am most impressed with this set - and as for the Defence of Mafeking, to an officer ! I'm sure you know the current value. You must never tell me your address - wheelchair or not - I may 'pay a visit.' Actually, I really would like to see your collection - I think even our major museums could be hard pressed to match some of your pieces. Mervyn

Just found this picture of a Staffordshire Constabulary truncheon - Queen Victoria crown and cypher. Prob. dates to about 1880. These were made for the firm of Parker Field, who were the armourers to the Metropolitan Police. These early County truncheons were not made in great numbers, so in this condition can be considered quite rare. I think we all know a lot more about Staffordshire, thanks to Brian. Mervyn

Thankyou Brian - I always wondered when they stopped putting the St. John's badge on the sleeve. I thought it was earlier. All UK police have to pass the first aid requirements and be re-tested every three years - it is amazing the number of people who collapse in the streets ( and usually when we were going back to the station for refreshments - selfish !) I used to carry a piece of strap to put in the mouth of epileptics - I got fed-up with having my pens bitten in half. I must tell you a funny story - and quite genuine. I was walking down a busy street in the East End - about mid-morning, when I saw a crowd standing on a corner - you always know what's happened - the crowd parts like the Red Sea - and there is a collective sigh - 'Thank G.. - here's a policeman.' Anyway to cut a long story short (not that I'm known for keeping it short!) a woman had collapsed with epilepsy,so I took all the necessary steps and called an ambulance - suddenly a man came-up and pushed me to one side - now, this was unusual since I was in full uniform. I challenged him and he said he was a qualified first aider - - so I told him I was too, but let him attend to her while I kept the crowd back. When I looked round he was 'interfering' with her and in front of about 100 bystanders!! I dragged him off , but had to let him go as I was on my own and the woman came first. All P.C.'s have stories like this - it would be nice to hear some of them. Mervyn

Dear Brian - I've never seen one of these patches before - will be worth a lot of money in 200 years !!! Actually, with the ever rising costs of antique items many police collectors specialise now in button hole enamel tacs, sleeve patches and of course badges; however, an old Victorian crown helmet plate can easily fetch ?200. The patches everone seems to collect are the American ones, but very few are original - the companies that make them for the police forces make thousands extra for collectors. I must say, you have built-up a fine Staffs. collection. Best wishes Mervyn

This rare commemorative plaque is interesting in that it shows the involvement of the South African Police during the U.D.I. period in the old Rhodesia. In Afrikaans, it shows the two years this unit was there and from the inscription they were based at Victoria Falls. Families do not part easily with items of this recent vintage and therefore, this can be considered an unusual item - it's also twice the size of most plaques. The person to tell us more of the history of SA involvement and this police unit will be Will Endley. Mervyn

Erased medals are probably more common then you would think - we see quite a number brought into the shop - and as has been pointed out on another post the value is limited. However, broken-up they are valuable, as genuine bars and mounts are very hard to find. The reason why the medals are defaced is interesting - the families often don't want the medals but, are ashamed to sell something with their name. This was particularly so in the past when there seemed to be more family pride. I could post a board with twelve different QSA's - all to good units, but as prices are on labels would need Committee permission. Mervyn

Although this is on an old truncheon - c1870 - it shows how the strap is fixed (sewn) to the top of the truncheon. We would always put our thumb through the strap and then wrap it around the hand - this prevents anyone pulling it from you. We were taught at training school not to hit on the head - but, rather on the shoulder and break their collarbone, if they are carrying a knife or club, the arm just drops. I always thought they looked better with both broken !! Mervyn

Sorry to come back - doing some research on a WW1 medal group, I discovered that the Royal Naval Air Service's first manned balloon in 1907 had the name Nilli Secundus- they had a machine gun in the small basket. There was also a NS2. Just one of those silly little bits of info. we all find ! Mervyn

A very nice helmet - the chromed badge is typical for that period. Mine used to have the E11R on separate pins - the Met. have always been mean and I suppose they thought it would be cheaper to change. I never understand all of these amalgamations in both the Services and the police - experience should have told them that the public like their own force or, regt.. These days the price of older helmets with good badges has rocketed. Mervyn