Mel Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Hello,My name is Mel, i joined because i recently came by a George V special constabulary medal in the name of Alan Mitton. Wanting to know more I googled the details and it led me straight here. I was curious to see if Mervyn may be a relative?
Brian Wolfe Posted September 3, 2015 Author Posted September 3, 2015 Hello Mel,Welcome to the GMIC. Mervyn may be a while in responding since he lives in South Africa now and with the time difference...well you know the drill. RegardsBrian
Brian Wolfe Posted September 3, 2015 Author Posted September 3, 2015 Hello Mel,Welcome to the GMIC. Mervyn may be a while in responding since he lives in South Africa now and with the time difference...well you know the drill. RegardsBrian
Uffz. Rohleder Posted November 27, 2015 Posted November 27, 2015 Here a nice miniature medal bar with: Military Cross / 1914 - 1915 Star / British War Medal 1914 - 1918 / Interallied Victory Medal / Special Constabulary Service Medal Greetings Stefan
Mike McLellan Posted March 2, 2016 Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) I've just been through all thirty three pages of this amazing thread, and I don't see an example of the badge I've attached. Does anyone know anything about it? Date? I'm assuming that it's from the Metropolitan SC, but I've never seen one like it. The current owner wants a value, but I don't know what to tell him. Edited March 2, 2016 by Mike McLellan
Dave Wilkinson Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 (edited) Mike, I do have an example of this badge together with several differing variations. The general view is that this badge was not an issue item but was manufactured and purchased privately. Many of the leaders in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary were at one time very wealthy well connected people. They often paid for and had made their own "mufti" badges which were of better quality than those issued. This I believe is one such item. It dates from the first war but could probably have continued to be used for many years after. In some cases I think they were handed down one to another. As to value. it is probably what someone is willing to pay. I hope this is helpful. As an aside I attach a photo of the Metpol. SC. items I have. Dave. Edited March 3, 2016 by Dave Wilkinson
Mike McLellan Posted March 3, 2016 Posted March 3, 2016 Thanks David. I hadn't thought of that, but I'm reasonably sure that the same (private purchase) practice was true with truncheons and tipstaves at times. Thanks also for the photo. Your collection is a real treat to see. I've only glimpsed a small part of it, but am genuinely amazed. Thanks again. Mike.
Dave Wilkinson Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 Hi Mike, Yes, I think you are correct regarding truncheons. Many of the pieces were subscribed to by an individuals colleagues and were privately purchased for presentation. Or, the very wealthy Divisional Commandant (often a local businessman) footed the bill and gave all members a presentation piece to mark a particular occasion/event etc. As an aside, I'm fairly certain that some of the "custom" divisional titles to shown in the photo were a private purchase. I say that because only certain divisions appear to have worn them, the majority wearing a simple metal letter indicating their attachment. Best wishes, Dave.
NickLangley Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 The general view is that this badge was not an issue item but was manufactured and purchased privately. Which reminds me of Sir Hugh Orde, erstwhile President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, who generated some derision by being photographed wearing an ACPO cap badge of his very own design. Unfortunately, for future collectors, his badge lacked the "quality" of its Great War counterparts, looking more like a gift from a Christmas Cracker. Truly a plastic policeman.
JayneR Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Please can anyone help with the identification of this man's uniform. So far, I think he may be a Special Constable wearing an 'on duty' brassard. However, if he is a Special, I am struggling with the cap badge - having looked at the examples on this topic (of which there are many!) the nearest I can get is Guernsey (or Salvation Army!!). Unfortunately, although I have tried to enhance the picture, I can get no further detail. Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas about date, etc?
JayneR Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 P.S. I can see that he is also wearing a medal ribbon over his breast pocket - although it's not clear, could it be the long-service ribbon?
Dave Wilkinson Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 I have my doubts about him being a Special Constable. The jacket does not look like a police pattern. The lower patch pockets are not of a design which I would normally associate with the police. The medal ribbon is not the Special Constabulary LS ribbon which has quite distinctive white stripes on it. I also note that there is no whistle chain evident. The "shield" cap badge looks like a collar/epaulette badge for the York City Police. It is not worded and is simply the shield centre of the York coat of arms. I believe that the armlet may be a bit of a "red herring". He could be a municipal park keeper or attendant. The other possibility is that he has simply dressed himself up for the photo. Its difficult to put a date on the photo but I would guess 1950's. Going back to the armlet. It looks out of place and is of a pattern which was worn many years previously. The buttons on his breast pockets are positioned far too high up on the jacket. Overall his whole outfit looks "odd". Sorry not to have been more helpful. Dave.
JayneR Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Thank you Dave. I am doing this 'investigation' for a friend and we know nothing about this chap. However "York' is a great connection as the family that she is researching is a Yorkshire one. We will 'delve' a bit more.....
Swainys Boy Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) ... May I say what a fantastic thread and thank you for all who have contributed so far, I have learnt MUCH! A question arises... I have a WW2 PSC badge which is undoubtedly for Peterborough Special Constabulary. I have just bought off of ebay for a reasonable price of £10.99 an identical looking badge HSC. Am I to reliably believe that this is for Huntingdon or Huntingdonshire being the town is so close to Peterborough? Edited April 22, 2016 by Swainys Boy Picture Size Adjustment
Dave Wilkinson Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) 35 minutes ago, Swainys Boy said: ... May I say what a fantastic thread and thank you for all who have contributed so far, I have learnt MUCH! A question arises... I have a WW2 PSC badge which is undoubtedly for Peterborough Special Constabulary. I have just bought off of ebay for a reasonable price of £10.99 an identical looking badge HSC. Am I to reliably believe that this is for Huntingdon or Huntingdonshire being the town is so close to Peterborough? Hi Lawrence, The "PSC" is indeed from Peterborough as you correctly say. Disappointingly, the "HSC" badge is from Hampshire. Huntingdonshire has a similar badge but with the Coat of Arms in the centre and "Huntingdonshire Special Constabulary" around the outside. Dave. Edited April 22, 2016 by Dave Wilkinson
Swainys Boy Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 15 minutes ago, Dave Wilkinson said: Hi Lawrence, The "PSC" is indeed from Peterborough as you correctly say. Disappointingly, the "HSC" badge is from Hampshire. Huntingdonshire has a similar badge but with the Coat of Arms in the centre and "Huntingdonshire Special Constabulary" around the outside. Dave. Grrrr! back on ebay 'HSC' goes, unless anyone wants it for the price I paid? I do have a Huntingdonshire SC but was hoping there would be a Huntingdon town version, does one exist?
Dave Wilkinson Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 1 hour ago, Swainys Boy said: Grrrr! back on ebay 'HSC' goes, unless anyone wants it for the price I paid? I do have a Huntingdonshire SC but was hoping there would be a Huntingdon town version, does one exist? Lawrence, No, I'm not aware of an SC badge for Huntingdon town itself. I already have the HSC badge otherwise I would take it off you. Dave.
Dave Wilkinson Posted June 29, 2017 Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) A new book has just been published entitled "Special Constabulary Insignia of England & Wales". Softback. A4 size. 138 pages depicting over 750 colour photos of Special Constabulary badges from the Great War to the present day. Plus 38 black and white period photos featuring members of the Special Constabulary. The book has been privately published and is of a limited print run. For anyone interested the price is £25 per copy. This is inclusive of UK postage. Airmail postage outwith the UK will be extra. Payment via PAYPAL (family & friends). PM me if you would like a copy. Edited June 29, 2017 by Dave Wilkinson
coldstream Posted June 29, 2017 Posted June 29, 2017 Some great collections on here. Not connected in any way to this Seller but thought these two on Ebay were interesting though pricey. Particularly like the Sergeants badge. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW1-1914-Leeds-Special-Constable-Enamel-Lapel-Badge-Rare-Sergeant-Chevrons-/272704929620?hash=item3f7e7aff54:g:zWYAAOSwurZZNsVc http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW1-Leeds-Police-Special-Constable-1914-Enamel-Lapel-Badge-Mint-Condition-Rare-/272704937441?hash=item3f7e7b1de1:g:U1IAAOSwZ4dZNscm Simon
coldstream Posted July 6, 2017 Posted July 6, 2017 This Special Constabulary 1950s Poster has just been offered for sale at a Local Auction House near me, there are a number of other Police items including a City of London Helmet with SC badge if you take a look. https://denhams.com/lot/202/july-2017 Regards Simon
fred82 Posted July 8, 2017 Posted July 8, 2017 Hello everybody, It is the first time that I am contacting you since my registration. I have in my possession this insigna that I would like to identify. This insigna is similar to the one presented by Brian Wolfe,with the number 69 inscribed on. Could you tell me what this number refers to ? Thank you in advance Regards Fred
Dave Wilkinson Posted July 8, 2017 Posted July 8, 2017 The arm badge is "generic", in other words it was worn by a great number of forces during the Great War. It would have been a manufacturers "stock" item probably manufactured by Hiatt & Co. of Birmingham. The number shown would have been that allocated to the wearer and would have enabled identification in the event of someone wishing to make a complaint etc. Dave.
coldstream Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 Pretty sure this badge will be in this thread somewhere but its a new addition for me so thought I would show it here in the hope that some others may appear! Lancashire Special Constabulary. And the reverse.
ShortPlod Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) I have a similar one in my collection, it’s a Royal Parks Constabulary version and it was fondly known as the “Bottle top” it was worn on the flat cap, which was all they were issued at the time. They were eventually issued a six panneled custodian helmet with a ball and spike top. I’ll see if I can dig it out and post a photo of the bottle top. Edited November 30, 2017 by ShortPlod Additional info
coldstream Posted December 1, 2017 Posted December 1, 2017 Look forward to seeing your Royal Parks badge if you get a chance to post it. Regards Simon.
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