Unknown Truncheon

[Anthony03]

I was given this numbered truncheon by an ex Devon and Cornwall policeman about 30 years ago. I have an idea that it might have been a Plymouth City Police one. Any help would be appreciated.

Alf

[Mike McLellan]

Hi Alf. Your truncheon looks American to me, and the 4 digit control number seems to suggest that it came from a large department. I have seen number tags fastened to military truncheons as well. There are some real experts on this forum, and hopefully, one of them will weigh in. Mike.

[Anthony03]

  On 02/12/2015 at 07:18, Anthony03 said:

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Many thanks Brian - Hopefully as you say I can probably get a positive result. Cheers Alf

Edited December 4, 2015 by Anthony03

[Alan.Cook]

Hi, I think the honest answer with regard to any plan wood truncheon is that unless they start to talk we will never know. What we can say is this is not the traditional style used in the UK. However, it could have been a one-off bespoke item. 

We also know that collar numbers do not reach this high in UK forces, with the exception of members of the Special Constabulary. Some forces used to have a means of separating regular officers and Specials. One way of doing this was to have SC collar numbers which start at higher numbers such as the 5,000s. 

I doubt this was Plymouth City, but could have been Devon and Cornwall - Special Constabulary? My knowledge of American items is not great so Mike's suggestion is also worthy of consideration. 

[Robin Lumsden]

Looks to me like a short British 'Detective's Truncheon' from the Victorian era. 

Small ................. to keep in the pocket of civilian jackets. 

No 'baton pockets' in civvy suits !! 

Think Sherlock Holmes.

I had a similar verified short 'Detective's Truncheon' in my old Force Museum. 

The number is a mystery to me ............... perhaps a later museum reference code addition ???

[Robin Lumsden]

Short 'Detective's Truncheon' in use ................. from a period publication. 

[Anthony03]

  On 11/12/2015 at 21:52, Alan.Cook said:

Hi, I think the honest answer with regard to any plan wood truncheon is that unless they start to talk we will never know. What we can say is this is not the traditional style used in the UK. However, it could have been a one-off bespoke item. 

We also know that collar numbers do not reach this high in UK forces, with the exception of members of the Special Constabulary. Some forces used to have a means of separating regular officers and Specials. One way of doing this was to have SC collar numbers which start at higher numbers such as the 5,000s. 

I doubt this was Plymouth City, but could have been Devon and Cornwall - Special Constabulary? My knowledge of American items is not great so Mike's suggestion is also worthy of consideration. 

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Thanks Alan - Any help in solving this mystery is appreciated!Alf

  On 11/12/2015 at 23:05, Robin Lumsden said:

Looks to me like a short British 'Detective's Truncheon' from the Victorian era. 

Small ................. to keep in the pocket of civilian jackets. 

No 'baton pockets' in civvy suits !! 

Think Sherlock Holmes.

I had a similar verified short 'Detective's Truncheon' in my old Force Museum. 

The number is a mystery to me ............... perhaps a later museum reference code addition ???

Expand  

Many thanks Robin - didnt think of a museum numbered item-Cheers-Alf

[Robin Lumsden]

You're welcome.