Mervyn Mitton

Most truncheons follow a similar style - the changeover period from 5 foot staves was in the middle to late 1700's. I have never seen an identified SAC truncheon and I agree with you - without markings it is difficult. The standard truncheon of that period was (approx)17" - this was probably ordered and made in S.A. Mervyn

Hi - Will - I see why you didn't need our SAC badge !! As the other member said - nice to see a good collection. Best wishes Mervyn

D.O. - stood for Detective Office . D5 - either the individual detective - or, one of a set number which could have been issued as necessary. Mervyn

For our Scottish police friends - a rare one from Glasgow. Dating from the (approx.) 1850's this small tipstaff was carried by an officer in the early Glasgow Detectives Office. Only about 5" inches long, it was intended to be held in a waistcoat pocket - when needed he would just take it out and hold at arm's length (the Tipstaff!!!). I have another version using a short malacca piece of cane - whereas this one is ebony. I will show two further pictures. Mervyn

This is a much rarer example - having a superb Victorian Crown. Dates to 1880's and was for the North Riding Contabulary. Higher value - about ?100. Mervyn

I thought I should insert a collectable which is more in the moderate price range. Police have always worn a thick leather belt - one and a half inches deep - this was usually secured with a 'male & female' buckle. The alternative, was the 'S' shaped clasp, but that didn't show the Force. If the Chief Constable was willing to pay an extra two shillings (20P) he could have the Force name - this applied to truncheons (when they were heraldically painted), rattles,whistles. Extra wording on the old truncheons cost 1/6d (15p) This is a good example for Sheffield Police and dates to around 1910. Pricewise, about ?30. Mervyn

Very interesting - you see lots of ARP armbands - but, for the 2nd WW special constables are not common. I have found - since joining - that GMIC has an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise amongst it's members. I doubt that there are many subjects that couldn't be answered. Mervyn

Herewith 4 pictures of the rare Beat M/cycle patrol helmet. Was only in use for a few years in the late '60's - they used the Velocette and with the high helmet, they were immediately called 'noddys' ! Police humour is very weird - I must tell you the story one day about when I was teaching beats to a new probationer !!! Although this is Queen's Crown - the naming is early - Staffordshire County. Unfortunately the enamel has been damaged - (Brian - an example for your recent post on damage to plates ) - this could be replaced or, a jeweller could probably match the enamel. This was the first time that helmets were properly re-inforced and the Met. followed this example for the rioting of the 70's and 80's. There is extra cork inside and the chin strap goes around the helmet to keep it on. Mervyn

Dear David - you have your answer. The family name from the estate could help you find him in Who's Who , and if they can give you a first name or, a clue as to who he was then it will be easier. You may have to go to a main centre - such as Cardiff - since you may have to go back even a 150 years. Also, if you can find a clue to his name - Google. Value wise - approx. ?150 - again, don't forget to ask about medals,swords etc.. Please let me know how you get on - I will be interested. Mervyn

David - I would identify this as a general's plumes to be screwed into the top of a bicorne (pointed at each end) ceremonial hat. The feathers are from swans and generally - the larger the length of the plumes, the higher the rank. I have some for very senior Met. police officers and they are blue - not red - and the feathers are shorter. The type of tins these were carried in had a shiny brown varnish finish - known as 'japanning' - the plumes were never left on the hat. Most examples - I have seen of these tins - have the owner's name painted on. Have a close look - it could help you to identify him. By the way - there were two ways of fixing the feathers to the hat - the screw type shown here - and, sometimes a wire bracket which slipped into a sewn pocket in the top of the hat. Mervyn (p.s. it could also be for a : Gentleman at Arms : Diplomatic Corps etc. - look for the name.)

Leigh - I for one, know very little about American police customs and their history - it would be good if some of our U.S. police members could give us info. Somewhere in the flat in Bournemouth is a wonderful record book for a precinct in New York - I think from the 1870's. It is what I think in the US is called the 'blotter' (?) - our equivalent of the daily info.book. I will get it sent over to SA so some pages can be shown. Mervyn

Do you have any photos of these parades - would be interesting to see them 'bounced'. Mervyn

Absolutely right - before frock coats men wore a swallow tailed coat - until about the 1850's - in each of the tails was a deep pocket where they carried things like this. The first police in 1829 carried a rattle - whistles were from 1884 - and this was in the tail pocket. Mervyn

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

Dear Craig - I thought you might be Met. - can I be 'cheeky' and ask your rank , you've obviously got a few years service behind you? When I was at HB, I leased a flat from the Crown Estate - just the other side of Victoria Park - it was unfurnished and as you know those don't happen today. The old manageress of the estate like the idea of a uniform in the area - she also gave me a relic sword - two handed sword from the Crusades, found in Cyprus and possibly Richard 1st. period. Like a fool I gave up the lease a few years ago , when I could no longer climb stairs - we live and learn. Mervyn

Will - I find Major Tylden's book on the history of S.A. units has many of the police listed. Mervyn

This gives a clearer view of the head and the interwoven whalebone. I should have said the length overall is approx. 10 inches. mervyn

Known as a 'life preserver' many people carried these for protection in the 19thC. In the 18th.C swords were worn but, these had gone out of fashion - certainly by Victorian times - however, crime had not and the streets were very dangerous places.Men carried a variety of weaponry in case of attack - from pocket pistols ; sword canes ; bludgeons ; flails and these life preservers. They were usually made by sailors for extra income and the centre could be made from a variety of things - the main requirement being that it had flexibility to strike with extra force. This one has three pieces of whalebone - and is very 'springy' - both ends are a lead ball covered with intricate knotting - which is why the sailors were able to make them. They are fairly common and come in different sizes - I will show pictures of the other personal protection pieces at another time - however, it is interesting that two of them gave rise to common English expressions.

I am feeling guilty that most recent posts have been on the British police - so,attached is an early truncheon , staff or, night stick from the States (not sure what they're called now ?). When I bought this some 35 years ago it had a label saying it was carried by the Boston Police and dated to the 1880's. I know the the Eastern freeboard cities copied a lot of British equipment in the middle and last part of the 19th.C - They wore a helmet - often grey in colour - frock coats - and these heavy truncheons. There was a tradition of officer's showing their skill, by knotting the rope around the handle - using this they would then 'throw' the truncheon head first at the pavement and then catch the rebound with the rope (which they were still holding). The one shown here would not have been for everyday use, but reserved for ceremonial parades. I hope this will encourage some response about equipment in the US - past and present. Mervyn

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

Will - yet another rare one - only about 200 in the Cape Rural Police and it only existed for Victoria and Edward. The helmet plate is also very collectable - however, we have two of these pouch badges in the shop and I didn't - until now - who they were for. Thankyou. Mervyn