Uncategorised Tipstaff ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Robin Lumsden]

Latest pick-up from eBay ...........................

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi Robin,

I have one just like yours and Mervyn identified it as Victorian c.1850 and having been used by an Inspector.

It is hard to tell from the photo but mine may have a bit smaller handle.

Mervyn, what do you think?

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

Here's a photo of the one in my collection.

Regards

Brian

[Mervyn Mitton]

Robin - a nice buy - what did you pay ?

Brian has rightly identified it for the approx. period. They were made by Parker Field and Co. - who were

the official armourers to the Metropolitan Police. Many County Forces used them and also in Scotland.

They were carried in a leather case on the belt - this had a spring at the bottom and the staff 'popped-up'

when the case was opened. They are very hard to find with the original case. This has more ebony rings

then is usual - but, otherwise is a standard type. I think there is an inscription on the lower half - please

tell us the wording, it will identify who it was for.

They had another version for County senior officers and for Magistrates - this has ivory rings.

Parker always stamped their name - from this we can tell the date - so please tell us how it is styled. Mervyn

[Robin Lumsden]

Thanks for posting these photos, Brian.

Mervyn ............. it cost £313. Not cheap, but I have always wanted one and I've seen similar examples fetch £500+. There were 20-odd other bids.

I'll post details of any inscription when I receive the tipstaff, hopefully in the next couple of days. .

[Robin Lumsden]

Mervyn.

Item arrived today.

No marks whatsoever. No maker and no Force.

It's in superb condition, so I wonder it it might never have been issued ??

[Mervyn Mitton]

I would say that was a fair price. They are not engraved very often - usually to Chief Constables and

Magistrates. This adds greatly to the value. Strange it doesn't have PF's name. Certainly their pattern.

The base of the tipstaff is made to look like a shotgun cartridge.......... Mervyn

[Robin Lumsden]

Yes .............. exactly like a shot gun cartridge!

I used to think these were hollow all the way through, but it's hollow only for an inch or so below the crown.

The cross and orb can be screwed off from the top of the crown.