Mervyn Mitton

Dave - with these early pieces so much depended on the whims of the Chief Constable. I have no idea why this design was picked for just one area. Within the deep recesses of my memory, I do seem to remember seeing a cross belt - it may well be a confusion with something else and I must be honest and say that most pictures don't show this. Perhaps right at the beginning when it was first introduced ? There has to be a reason why this shape was adopted - and of course , it has similarities with military cross belt whistles. I sometimes find that the Chief Constables were ex-Military and tried to carry over their military past. One must always remember that Ch. Const. who wanted to introduce artillery to control Riots. The Home Secretary had to stamp on that one..... Mervyn Brian has sensibly said keep this to British - but that would be Police and Military + any others.

I have referred this to the Chairman in order for all members to be alerted. Mervyn

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This is more of FIGHTING STICK ........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-35528100-1360236906.jpgclick.............................

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Two short Matabele Iwisa's - or, knobkerries. This first one is very similar to the Zulu pattern - however, the second version has a short collar to join-it to the shaft. Both are made from ironwood - very heavy and it doesn't split. ..................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-00583300-1360236130.jpgclick....................................

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This rathe rough stabbing spear probably also, dates from the 1890's. Properly made spear head but, mounted on a rough piece of wood. I suspect making use of a head from a broken spear and just 'grabbed' to fight with in the insurrection. Still a deadly weapon at close quarters and similar to the Zulu Iklwa. ................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-97620700-1360235495.jpgclick...........................

Andrew - welcome to GMIC. Thankyou for the identification which was giving a problem. You have been of great help for this and the other post on belt plates. Are you a collector of these items ? I hope you will be able to post some good items from your own collection ? Mervyn

Howard - welcome to GMIC. I suggest you look at our for sale section - lower down the Forum. Show your copy with a picture and you may well find a buyer. The discussion on this replica and it's price is because of Hancock's. You will fid that a modern stamped out basic replica - which will still look like an original - sells for very little. Mervyn

This was an experimental pattern - tested by the Metropolitan Police but, never adopted. There is an internal fan and it makes the sound of a siren. Being a Community Policeman I had the use of a bicycle - 6d a day extra - but Insurance cover. I used it as a joke one night duty - amazingly the traffic just parted for me as I cycled past....................... ...............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-29594500-1360078846.jpgclick............................

.............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-85413900-1360078377.jpg................................... These whistles are - from Left : Early 20th Century Traffic whistle. Early Victorian Police whistle. This is a Military Whistle - prob. 18th Century. Buttons form the sides. Victorian Glasgow Police. Handcarved Pear wood whistle. This was used by an early Parish Constable - but was of the type used also by military.

This is a very rare whistle - dating from the 1880's this is the first pattern whistle for the Metropolitan Police. There would have been a chain. .....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-44316500-1360077962.jpgclick.....................................

This is a Police whistle - probably for a County Force. The Chief Constable was too 'cheap' to pay the extra 1/6d ( 7 new pence) to have the name stamped on the side. We know it is Police because of the official standard chain. The hook went into the 2nd button down on the old high collar tunics and the whistle went into a small pocket inside. ...............................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-24219500-1360077079.jpgclick...............................

Hi - Muckaroon - good to see you posting , and a topic that could have a lot of mileage. Let's hope members will add from their collections. I will show some Police examples - some quite different to the Hudson patterns you show above. Hudsons were the main manufacturers of most whistles, lamps and restraints . Parker, Field and Sons were the official armourers to the Metropolitan Police and commissioned most items from Hudsons. When my Police book was published Hudsons bought - I think - 30 copies to send to their agencies overseas. The early Constabulary and the Night Watch carried a rattle in the early days - whistle came into use in the 1880's. However, the military had been using them much earlier - usually, the pea type and often with a military button on each side. Sometimes, the entire whistle will be carved from a soft wood such as Pear. We must also remember that the Royal Navy used Bosuns Calls or, Whistles for hundreds of years. I am sure someone will post pictures of these. This was the pattern for the City of Liverpool Police in the 19th Century. They wore a crossbelt - similar to the Army and this whistle was pushed into a leather holder over the chest. ...................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2013/post-6209-0-78024500-1360076746.jpgclick.........................

dug - welcome to GMIC. Mr. Haynes is no longer a member of this Forum. Brian Wolfe - also an Administrator on the British Forums, is an Indian collector. I will draw your post to his attention and I am sure he will reply. Mervyn

Arthur - that information is so relevant to this man's background. I am sure a lot of people in the medal world will be interested. Perhaps City Coins could include it in one of their ref. works ? Mervyn

Which is where the British expression ' to go off half cocked ' or, not fully prepared , comes from. Originally it came from duelling - where you didn't get another chance. Mervyn

Lee - welcome to GMIC. I hope members will make a note of your link - if they don't already have it on file. I wouldn't think their fee is excessive. Mervyn

The Crown is certainly Victorian - and if worn as you have shown - the rank was for a Staff Sergeant. I wouldn't say 30 pounds was excessive for a pair that have to be older than 111 years - and that is from the year she died. Mervyn

Azyeoman - nice to see some different tins - however, you must remember that over the years we have had a number of collectors who have made posts. Sometimes it is good to add to these and bring them back top the top. Mervyn

Hugh - I shouldn't think they got close enough to see one - however, one of those old fan shaped pistols with four barrels would have made a good spear. More to follow on this thread. Mervyn

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