Truncated truncheon

[Kevin Ross]

This truncheon belonged to my great grandfather, David Moore. He served as a Sergeant in the Devonport Borough Police. It can be seen that the truncheon has been shortened at the grip. My father, Sgt Moore’s grandson, has told me that this shortening was police practice of the time, and was done so the truncheons could more easily fit into pockets,

 

Did this really happen? It doesn’t really sound credible to me. Sgt Moore died in 1917 and my father wasn’t born until 1930, so it’s an account heard at best at second hand, and things do get misremembered or altered in good faith when passed on. 
 

But I would be delighted to hear that this was indeed what Policemen did back then. Many thanks for any help.

 

[I_♥_Police]

I've seen many examples and cant say I've ever seen this, having said that its long, long before my time so dont have any first hand knowledge. I am not an expert, however I have never seen any with a knoted type rope lanyard. I've only ever seen leather lanyards.

[Kevin Ross]

42 minutes ago, I_♥_Police said:

I've seen many examples and cant say I've ever seen this, having said that its long, long before my time so dont have any first hand knowledge. I am not an expert, however I have never seen any with a knoted type rope lanyard. I've only ever seen leather lanyards.

Thanks very much for this reply. As I say, it seems unlikely to me - this would have made it tricky to get any sort of purchase, I’d have thought.

[ChrisKelly]

For those unfamiliar with "Old Bill" and his whackin' stick, here's a great primer.  Also explains that first post, and why Kevin Ross asked the question he did.

 

Source:

 

http://avonsomersetpolice.blogspot.com/2015/07/equipment-part-3-truncheons.html?m=1

 

[Megan]

Interesting article. Reminds me of a visit to a British Transport Police station, for the purpose of reporting the theft of my wallet whilst travelling. The conversation went in some very unexpected directions. To start with, they thought I was the sign interpreter they'd ordered for a deaf visitor (never did find out how voluntary their visit was, I think they'd been nicked for something) - I can sign a bit but not up to intepretation standard so said I didn't think I could help. Then I listed what was in the wallet, which included a membership card for the Police Insignia Collectors' Association, at which point I was presented with a BTP sweater patch!

 

The conversation then moved on to batons. This was in 1994, and they'd just been issued the side arm baton, to their disgust, the constables stated to a man that they preferred truncheons! They said that a trucheon was a much more instinctive weapon whereas they had to think what they wanted to do with the side arm baton. It wasn't long before one was produced... and it turned out they'd not had much training, so I was demonstrating how to use it to effect!

 

And all because some toad had pinched my wallet!