Earliest Metropolitan Police Truncheons.

[G Hanson]

My #1 - early MP.

 

 

 

My #2 - early “H” Division.

Edited November 7, 2019 by G Hanson

[Mike McLellan]

Thanks for posting, G. I don’t know why, but I expected to see greater similarities between your number 1 and Bob’s oak truncheon. Given the rush for equipment, early on, I expected that there would exist a template or some means of ensuring uniformity of equipment. At the time, there were 1.5 million people in greater London, and I’m certain there were more than a few wood turners among them. Anyway, more questions than answers. The adage, “The more we know, the less we know” is apropos. Thanks again. Mike. 

[G Hanson]

Well, it’s been a while but thought I would post a couple of interesting additions since this thread was started a few years back.

 

I have managed to pick up a couple of additional Victorian period ‘H’ Division marked pieces to add to the collection which is pictured on page 1.

 

The first piece is interesting in that similar to truncheons #2 & #3 in my earlier post, this too has an additional ’K’ Division stamp.  
 

Considering the rarity of surviving ‘H’ marked pieces, the fact that there are now 3 surviving examples each displaying the ‘’K’ Division stamp, may possibly indicate a pattern.

 

Transfer in of ‘K’ Division staff to augment ‘H’ Division staff during the Whitechapel murders, or transfer out of excess ‘H’ Division staff post Whitechapel murders or just normal everyday transfer of staff between neighbouring Divisions?

 

Who knows but interesting anyhow?

 

Edited September 12 by G Hanson

[G Hanson]

The second piece is a nice unpainted (I think stripped) truncheon exhibiting a clear ‘H’ Division stamp.  
 

In addition to the Divisional stamp the truncheon has the 1884 Defence Ministry Ordnance Board inspection of Met. Police equipment stamp of WD with broad arrow, and the pommel is marked to ‘Holborn’.

 

However, this truncheon omits the Met Police marking of the Crown & MP stamp.

 

 

The ‘H’ Division ‘family’.

 

Edited September 12 by G Hanson