Tipstaves

[Jamesblair]

Now that Mervyn Mitton has sadly passed from this world, dare I ask if there is anyone out there with sufficient knowledge of tipstaves to be able to positively identify one in my possession please? I think it may be a prison officer's as it has a small aperture in the base (please see scans) presumably to hold a pen or pencil  to enable the owner to record the verdicts and sentences of the courts. Length is 5" and the construction is all brass. The inscription is "VR 174"

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards

James