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Title Manchester tipstaff
Nationality British
Period c 1840
Sold

The history of truncheons by E.R.H. Dicken refers to the round-bodied, baluster truncheon as being typical of the Manchester area, borne out by the illustrations of Lancashire truncheons and tipstaves in Truncheons: their romance and reality by Erland Fenn Clark. Mervyn Mitten also refers to this shape as being a Manchester truncheon.

My reasoning for describing this as a tipstaff (as opposed to a truncheon) is due to the relatively small size of the piece, which measures only 22cm long.

The tipstaff was the police constable's insignia of office, used for making an arrest. The principle interest of this example lies in the VR cypher - most have the initials of George III or one of the later Hanoverian kings. Also, its dimensions are slightly unusual, the barrel being almost as long as the handle.

There is some scarring to the paintwork (the background is a dark indigo), viz a couple of minor scars to the cypher, some more to the top right of the barrel beyond the edge of the crown and sustantial wear to the gilt finish at both top and bottom. However, generally the paintwork is in reasonable shape, considering the age. The grip would indicate that the piece is mahogany, although this may be the effect of the lacquer and it's just possible, indeed more likely, that it is actually boxwood under the heavy varnish finish.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Militaria : Tipstaffs Truncheons : British : 19th Century]

testimonials

Hanger arrived safe and sound 11.30ish today. Very pleased, it's as expected. Your excellent pics make all the difference in terms of confident buying over the net. As a matter of interest, the frog, which as you said is very a/f, is, as you thought, 'spot on'. On closer inspection it is a mk.1 Naval Frog, designated 'for cutlasses'. Date seems around 1860ish give or take.

By the way, I think your site is very user friendly. Seems to work much better than many and up to date, a rarity!!!

C W, UK, 20.04.2006

I should have written sooner, but I did want to let you know that the photos arrived safely and are absolutely fabulous. I could not be happier with them.

Thanks for the excellent service and great photos. I hope we have occasion to do business together again.

J B, USA, 18.08.2005

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