The Last from 50 Years of Collecting

[Mervyn Mitton]

After nearly 50 years of collecting Police related historical items the last main part of

the collection has just been sent off to a major collector. He is a good friend and I am happy

to know that they have gone to a good home where they will be looked after and further

researched - still quite a sad moment in my life.

I still have many pieces - swords, uniform, lamps, whistles etc. to dispose of - some of them

can go on our For Sale section.

Meanwhie here are a few pictures and I will add further ones over time.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-86685100-1342541454.jpgclick to enlarge

From the left - an early numbered baluster style truncheon for the English County of Dorset. With number.

Middle : Parker Field truncheon for the City of Oxford. With Divisional number

Right : Victorian Special Constables truncheon - Number 51. A little wear.

[Mervyn Mitton]

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Many Police Forces in Victorian times often had patrol sergeants and Inspectors carrying a walking stick.

This could be tapped on the pavement - or, old tram lines - to call constables in for updates.

Senior officers rarely carried a full stick - however, this is a fine example from the City of Glasgow.

The Crown is for King Edward 7th (1901-1910) and the top shows the rank of Superintendent. Rare.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Top of head (for some reason it is showing sideways)

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-49378800-1342542865.jpgclick to enlarge

[Mervyn Mitton]

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This picture shows three Staffs of Office.

Top : Carried by Ushers of the Duke of Norfolk - Heriditary Grand Marshall of England - in Westminster

Abbey at the Coronation of King Edward 7th. 1902.

MIDDLE : Official Staff of Office - King William 4th. (1830-37) There are name details.

LOWER : This is an official staff for one of the three Scottish orders of High Constables. Edinburgh, Perth

and Leith. This one is for Perth. Held in Processions - or, on duty - the Royal Arms are at top and those of

Perth at the base. Societies of High Constables were civilian and usually well-to-do shopkeepers - or,

gentlemen. They were formed in the days when Policing was very poor.

[Paul R]

Those are some awesome batons! I would not want to be on the receiving end of them, that is for sure.

Were they decorated like that when they were issued or was it done post service?

[Mervyn Mitton]

They were always decorated at the time. There were no warrant cards or ID's so, everything that the Constable needed to establish his

authority is on the truncheon - or, staff.

[tjones]

-------------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-54000200-1342543018.jpgclick to enlarge---------------------------------------

This picture shows three Staffs of Office.

Top : Carried by Ushers of the Duke of Norfolk - Heriditary Grand Marshall of England - in Westminster

Abbey at the Coronation of King Edward 7th. 1902.

MIDDLE : Official Staff of Office - King William 4th. (1830-37) There are name details.

LOWER : This is an official staff for one of the three Scottish orders of High Constables. Edinburgh, Perth

and Leith. This one is for Perth. Held in Processions - or, on duty - the Royal Arms are at top and those of

Perth at the base. Societies of High Constables were civilian and usually well-to-do shopkeepers - or,

gentlemen. They were formed in the days when Policing was very poor.

when do you intend to sell the staffs of office? how much would they be?

[Nightbreak]

I might be interested in a tipstaff. I've been reading about them in Chris McCreery's new book, "Symbols of Canadian Authority".