The Crown's Justice, A Brief Look At English Tipstaves
Pat Lynch
Stockbridge, GA
1999
As a collector of law enforcement memorabilia, I have found that I need to spend as much time researching my "finds" as I do searching for them. A few years ago, while on a trip to Great Britain, I had an opportunity to learn a little about English law enforcement history. Suddenly, I was hooked and my collecting interests had expanded to include Great Britain!
I had been familiar with, and not particularly interested in, painted constable's truncheons. On this trip, however, I discovered tipstaves and a limited, but interesting, array of armaments. I also got a slightly different perspective on early policing in The United Kingdom.
British Law Enforcement has a much more violent background that most Americans, and many Britons, realize. By the end of the 17th century, highway robbery had become so prevalent in England that the King was required to call on regular troops to make an unsuccessful effort to make travel on the highways safe. Continuing in this effort, in 1692 a law was passed offering rewards for highwaymen killed or captured, and pardons were provided for accomplices who turned in their companions. Nearly two hundred years later, we would Americanize this practice in the Old West and issue "Wanted Dead or Alive" posters for violent criminals.
During the Georgian era, England's Riot Act was revised and strengthened. Many don't realize that this act is the origin of the expression "Reading someone the Riot Act". Rioting had become so commonplace that the law was amended so that once a responsible party read the riot act to a mob, the mob must disperse. If it failed to do so, any recourse, including ordering regular troops or militia to fire upon it, was a legal response. Proving that there really is nothing new under the sun, a modern application of this "innovative" method of crowd control can be seen in the Tinniman Square massacre.
During the first half of the 18th century, Gentlemen and Ladies found it necessary to be armed to go about in public. Every Gentleman carried at least a brace of flintlock pistols in his greatcoat, Ladies had one or more muff pistols secreted upon her person. Nearly every coach sported a brace of pistols and /or a blunderbuss. The large quantities of these weapons that have survived today gives evidence to their common usage.
There was no organized Police establishment. Parish constables and night watchmen made up the law enforcement force. This method of policing lacked formal organization, exchange of information about crimes and criminals, and coordination. As a result, with rare exceptions, there was no effective law enforcement.
Constables were armed with truncheons. If they could afford one they might acquire and carry a pistol on their person.
In the middle of the eighteenth century in the London metropolitan area, a turning point was reached. Henry Fielding, a well known author, best known for the novel, Tom Jones, was appointed Chief Magistrate for Westminster, now part of London. He implemented a number of needed reforms. The most significant was the creation of a small group of permanent paid constables who would serve indefinitely, instead of the customary one year period. Mr. Fielding's offices were in Bow Street, and his group of constables, actually Britain's first detective force, would become known to the law enforcement establishment, contemporary literature, and today's romance novels, as The Bow Street Runners.
Although Henry died in 1754, after only six years in office, he was succeeded by his brother John. John Fielding, although legally blind and known as "The Blind Beak", continued and improved upon the reforms started by his brother. He added England's first regular mounted patrol of armed officers in 1763, and also maintained files on criminals appearances and habits which he published in a weekly paper giving details on known criminals and their crimes. It was said that he could identify over 3,000 criminals by their voice alone. By today's standards, these innovations seem commonplace, but they were as radical as they were successful at the time. By the end of the century, Police Offices based on the Bow Street model would be opened in other areas of what is now Metropolitan London. England's world renowned Police Organization would forever be shaped by the efforts of a novelist and his blind brother.
The Captains of the mounted patrol were armed with a pair of pistols and a carbine. The officers carried a hanger, or short sword. As other law enforcement agencies began to form, efforts were made to arm them.
During the late 17th century, the Customs Service was revised. Customs was responsible for protecting the coast and collecting taxes on imported and exported goods. In 1643, Excise taxes, or duties, were introduced to help pay for the Civil War. They were primarily on liquor, but included at different times many other diverse items including hearths, playing cards, coal, paper, and windows as politicians attempted to raise money to spend without "increasing" taxes. Some things never change.
During the 18th century, Customs and Excise Officers were armed with pistols, hangers and swords and blunderbusses.
Figure 1 shows a brass cannon barreled blunderbuss by Henry Blyth, London, inscribed "SURRY COLLN.." (Collection) used by H.M. Excise Officers in Surry c1770.
Customs and Excise functioned the same way in Scotland. However, in Ireland both functions were controlled by the Irish Revenue Board. It maintained its own fleet of cutters as well as the nearly universally hated Revenue Police.
Figure 2 shows a brass cannon barreled blunderbuss by Trulock (Dublin) inscribed "REVENUE-LOCH ERNE" c1770.
As formal city and county police departments were formed during the 19th. century, they were armed with wooden truncheons and short swords known as hangers. These hangers were not used in regular day to day policing, but were essential in combating rioters and smugglers as well as occasionally for other violent criminals. There was a standard pattern for the police hanger. Most are unmarked. A few have the department name or initials etched on the blade. To me, the named hangers are the most interesting, if hardest to find, examples, and I have limited my collecting interests to them.
Figure 3 is an example from the early 19th century with "CAMPDEN POLICE" etched on the blade. Campden is now a part of Metropolitan London.
Figure 4 has a blade etched "NORWICH POLICE".
Figure 5 is etched "R.B.P.No87" (Reading Borough Police)..
The early English Police Officer's authority was represented not by a badge, but by a tipstaff. The tipstaff represented the officer's direct authority from the crown to make an arrest. Although there are considerable differences in style, materials and workmanship, the tipstaff in England usually consisted of a shaft or handle surmounted by a crown. Some are hollow and supposedly the warrant could be placed within. The Officer would tap the party to be arrested on the shoulder with the tipstaff signifying the arrest. A number of tipstaves are as large and as heavy as truncheons. Judging by the number of dents in the surviving examples, it wasn't always the shoulder that was tapped.
Tipstaves are found in silver, brass, and wood. Some have ivory, bone or ebony trim. Occasionally they include the name and dates of service of the Police Officer. Often the Royal Arms, or the arms of the city, county or village would be painted or engraved on the tipstaff.
Figure 6 shows an 18th century tipstaff with interesting historical significance. It is all brass. The handle is hollow. The crown unscrews so that the arrest warrant can be placed within. It is engraved "John Clarke / Bow Street / 1772". Mr. Clarke was a "Runner" for John Fielding and was referred to by Mr. Fielding as "One of his best people". A named and dated example of a tipstaff this early is extremely rare.
During the 1790's, seven new Police Offices were opened in what is now Metropolitan London. These stations were based on the successful model developed by the Fielding Brothers at Bow Street.
Figure 7 is typical of the tipstaves used in those offices and was used by an Officer in The Police Office established at White Chapel at that time. It is all brass construction with a red velvet insert in the crown. The handle is engraved "Police Office / White Chapel".
Police Officials in other parts of the country were also using tipstaves.
Figure 8 is a tipstaff/mace used in the Borough of Tregoney, Cornwall,, during the reign of George II (1727-1760). It is painted with a royal crown, cipher, 1727, and the borough name.
Figure 9 is a tipstaff used by R. Goringe in Brighton in 1790. It is wood with hand painted Royal and Brighton coat of Arms. A silvered ring at the bottom of the handle is engraved with the name of R. Goringe and the date 1790. Unfortunately, the recorded history of the Brighton Police only goes back to the early 19th century and city directories only exist back to the late 1790's. As a result, Mr. Goringe's contributions to local law enforcement remain obscured by the passage of time.
Figure 10 is a distinctive tipstaff from Bristol topped with a brass acorn instead of a crown.. It is marked with a silver cipher of George III (1760-1820). It's size and weight indicate that it would also make an extremely effective bludgeon. The few dents in evidence indicate that it may have been employed to persuade the compliance of a miscreant making him painfully aware of the Officer's authority.
In England, the officers of certain companies were granted legal authority and issued tipstaves. These included canals, railroads, dock companies, and insurance companies. These tipstaves are quite rare as only senior officers of the company would be entrusted with them.
Figure 11 is a tipstaff issued to an Officer of the Kent Fire Insurance Company, Maidenhead, England, c1801.
Other examples of Georgian tipstaves include the following.
Figure 12 is a tipstaff from York with a silver crown and barrel and an ivory handle, in its original fitted wood box.
Figure 13 is a tipstaff from Lincoln. It has a brass crown and ends with an ivory handle. It is engraved "Presented to / William Roach / Lincoln / July / 1806.
Figure 14 is a generic wood and brass tipstaff with no markings.
Figure 15 represents a George IV tipstaff from Liverpool dated 1820. It is all brass. The crown unscrews to allow warrants to be placed in the hollow handle. Engraved on the handle are the Royal Cipher G IV, the Liver Bird (symbol of Liverpool) and the initials of the Mayor, Sir I. Tobin, as well as the date 1820.
Figure 16 is another George IV era piece. It is a combination tipstaff/truncheon. It is wood surmounted by a crown. It is painted with the royal cipher, coat of arms, and H.P.2, and was used by the Bow Street Horse Patrol.
A very unusual variant of the tipstaff is the Admiralty Oar.
Figure 17 and 18 are of a brass tipstaff with the Royal Arms handsomely engraved on the barrel as well as the date "1831". On the handle are engraved the initials "B.W." and "S.G.B.". The barrel is hollow and can be unscrewed from the handle. Inside is a silver oar engraved "Admiralty of England". These were carried by officials of the Admiralty Courts. Possession of an Admiralty Oar authorized the holder to board any vessel in his jurisdiction to execute warrants, and to search or even seize such vessel if he deemed necessary. His authority included the right to call upon the British Navy for assistance should he require it.
Tipstaves continued in use until late Victorian times. The presence of a uniformed Police Force and the advent of identity cards finally relegated them to their place in history.
Figure 19 is a wooden Victorian tipstaff with hand painted Crown and VR Cipher.
Figure 20 is an all brass tipstaff with red velvet insert in the crown. The handle is engraved "Presented to Mr. T. Ennor / by J. Shirley, Constable / St. Georges East / 1848". St. Georges East today is part of London.
Figure 21 is a tipstaff with brass crown, silver barrel and turned ivory handle. The barrel is engraved "Richard Barber / Superintendent / Portsmouth Police / 1860".
Figures 22 and 23 represent two examples of the mid Victorian tipstaves carried by Police Inspectors in plain clothes. Both have brass crowns and barrels with turned ebony handles.
Figure 24 is a very unusual combination telescope/tipstaff. The lens cap is surmounted by a crown. The barrel is painted with Queen Victoria's royal cipher and "H.M. Excise" "Hythe".
Scottish tipstaves from the Edinburgh area differ significantly from the English examples,
Figure 25 is an example from the reign of George III (1760-1820). It has an oak shaft and two silver caps. One cap is engraved with a crown and the Royal Cipher of George III. The other is engraved with a Scottish thistle.
Figure 26 has an ebony shaft and the Royal Cipher of William IV (1830-37) engraved on one silver cap. The other is engraved with Edinburgh Castle. The middle band is engraved "E.H.C." (Edinburgh High Constables) and "Committee Member No.4, 1831".
Figure 27 is also a William IV tipstaff, this one from the port city of Leith, near Edinburgh. Its shaft is ebony. The top cap is engraved with "Burgh of Leith" in an arc above a sailing ship and "1833". On the side is a sailing ship above "PERSEVERE". The lower cap is engraved with a royal crown and a thistle. On the side is engraved "HIGH CONSTABLE 8".
Figure 28 is a Victorian example. The Shaft is ebony. The top cap in engraved with Victoria's Royal Cipher and "A. MURRAY". The bottom cap is engraved with a Queen's Crown and "SHERIFF OFFICER". The center band is unmarked, but moves freely on the shaft. If the officer encountered resistance in performing his duties he would move the ring from one end to the other signifying that additional charges and penalties would be sought against the individual.
Figure 29 is a silver and ebony example from Glascow, Scotland, engraved "Bailie James Brown, 1859" "Let Glascow Flourish" a tree, and "Police Chambers". In Scotland a Bailie was a city administrator ranking just below the mayor.
Figure 30 is a nearly identical example. It has the initials "MA" engraved on the bottom of the end cap.
Figure 31 is an Irish bog oak hand carved truncheon from the Irish city of Inniskilling. A silver representation of Inniskilling castle as well as the word "Inniskilling" are inlayed in the truncheon. Irish motifs of shamrocks and a harp are carved into the wood.
Figure 32 is a group of hand carved Irish bog oak truncheons. These were carried by parish constables in Ireland and were also very popular with American policeman of Irish ancestry. Irish bog oak is a very dense, nearly petrified, wood from the bogs (swamps) of Ireland. Legend among the descendants of Irish-American policemen is that their ancestors identified the worst miscreants after a melee by looking for shamrocks or harps imbedded in their heads. The presence of such a memento indicated that the individual had to be "restrained" by an officer.
Figure 33 is a brass mounted George III truncheon ehgraved "GR/1812 Heny Hobson".
This article was not intended to be, nor is it, a definitive work on English law enforcement. I hope it may serve as a primer on a group of interesting and historically significant law enforcement collectibles.
Pat Lynch
Email plynch4@earthlink.net
1999
Page created Aug 20th, 1999 by: jcasey@policeguide.com
Copyright © 1999-2005 Patrick J. Lynch IV, James C. Casey
All Rights Reserved
As a collector of law enforcement memorabilia, I have found that I need to spend as much time researching my "finds" as I do searching for them. A few years ago, while on a trip to Great Britain, I had an opportunity to learn a little about English law enforcement history. Suddenly, I was hooked and my collecting interests had expanded to include Great Britain!
Figure 1 shows a brass cannon barreled blunderbuss by Henry Blyth, London, inscribed "SURRY COLLN.." (Collection) used by H.M. Excise Officers in Surry c1770.
Figure 2 shows a brass cannon barreled blunderbuss by Trulock (Dublin) inscribed "REVENUE-LOCH ERNE" c1770.
Figure 3 is an example from the early 19th century with "CAMPDEN POLICE" etched on the blade. Campden is now a part of Metropolitan London.
Figure 4 has a blade etched "NORWICH POLICE".
Figure 5 is etched "R.B.P.No87" (Reading Borough Police)..
Figure 6 shows an 18th century tipstaff with interesting historical significance. It is all brass. The handle is hollow. The crown unscrews so that the arrest warrant can be placed within. It is engraved "John Clarke / Bow Street / 1772". Mr. Clarke was a "Runner" for John Fielding and was referred to by Mr. Fielding as "One of his best people". A named and dated example of a tipstaff this early is extremely rare.
Figure 7 is typical of the tipstaves used in those offices and was used by an Officer in The Police Office established at White Chapel at that time. It is all brass construction with a red velvet insert in the crown. The handle is engraved "Police Office / White Chapel".
Figure 8 is a tipstaff/mace used in the Borough of Tregoney, Cornwall,, during the reign of George II (1727-1760). It is painted with a royal crown, cipher, 1727, and the borough name.
Figure 9 is a tipstaff used by R. Goringe in Brighton in 1790. It is wood with hand painted Royal and Brighton coat of Arms. A silvered ring at the bottom of the handle is engraved with the name of R. Goringe and the date 1790. Unfortunately, the recorded history of the Brighton Police only goes back to the early 19th century and city directories only exist back to the late 1790's. As a result, Mr. Goringe's contributions to local law enforcement remain obscured by the passage of time.
Figure 10 is a distinctive tipstaff from Bristol topped with a brass acorn instead of a crown.. It is marked with a silver cipher of George III (1760-1820). It's size and weight indicate that it would also make an extremely effective bludgeon. The few dents in evidence indicate that it may have been employed to persuade the compliance of a miscreant making him painfully aware of the Officer's authority.
Figure 11 is a tipstaff issued to an Officer of the Kent Fire Insurance Company, Maidenhead, England, c1801.
Figure 12 is a tipstaff from York with a silver crown and barrel and an ivory handle, in its original fitted wood box.
Figure 13 is a tipstaff from Lincoln. It has a brass crown and ends with an ivory handle. It is engraved "Presented to / William Roach / Lincoln / July / 1806.
Figure 14 is a generic wood and brass tipstaff with no markings.
Figure 15 represents a George IV tipstaff from Liverpool dated 1820. It is all brass. The crown unscrews to allow warrants to be placed in the hollow handle. Engraved on the handle are the Royal Cipher G IV, the Liver Bird (symbol of Liverpool) and the initials of the Mayor, Sir I. Tobin, as well as the date 1820.
Figure 16 is another George IV era piece. It is a combination tipstaff/truncheon. It is wood surmounted by a crown. It is painted with the royal cipher, coat of arms, and H.P.2, and was used by the Bow Street Horse Patrol.
Figure 17 and 18 are of a brass tipstaff with the Royal Arms handsomely engraved on the barrel as well as the date "1831". On the handle are engraved the initials "B.W." and "S.G.B.". The barrel is hollow and can be unscrewed from the handle. Inside is a silver oar engraved "Admiralty of England". These were carried by officials of the Admiralty Courts. Possession of an Admiralty Oar authorized the holder to board any vessel in his jurisdiction to execute warrants, and to search or even seize such vessel if he deemed necessary. His authority included the right to call upon the British Navy for assistance should he require it.
Figure 19 is a wooden Victorian tipstaff with hand painted Crown and VR Cipher.
Figure 20 is an all brass tipstaff with red velvet insert in the crown. The handle is engraved "Presented to Mr. T. Ennor / by J. Shirley, Constable / St. Georges East / 1848". St. Georges East today is part of London.
Figure 21 is a tipstaff with brass crown, silver barrel and turned ivory handle. The barrel is engraved "Richard Barber / Superintendent / Portsmouth Police / 1860".
Figures 22 and 23 represent two examples of the mid Victorian tipstaves carried by Police Inspectors in plain clothes. Both have brass crowns and barrels with turned ebony handles.
Figure 24 is a very unusual combination telescope/tipstaff. The lens cap is surmounted by a crown. The barrel is painted with Queen Victoria's royal cipher and "H.M. Excise" "Hythe".
Figure 25 is an example from the reign of George III (1760-1820). It has an oak shaft and two silver caps. One cap is engraved with a crown and the Royal Cipher of George III. The other is engraved with a Scottish thistle.
Figure 26 has an ebony shaft and the Royal Cipher of William IV (1830-37) engraved on one silver cap. The other is engraved with Edinburgh Castle. The middle band is engraved "E.H.C." (Edinburgh High Constables) and "Committee Member No.4, 1831".
Figure 27 is also a William IV tipstaff, this one from the port city of Leith, near Edinburgh. Its shaft is ebony. The top cap is engraved with "Burgh of Leith" in an arc above a sailing ship and "1833". On the side is a sailing ship above "PERSEVERE". The lower cap is engraved with a royal crown and a thistle. On the side is engraved "HIGH CONSTABLE 8".
Figure 28 is a Victorian example. The Shaft is ebony. The top cap in engraved with Victoria's Royal Cipher and "A. MURRAY". The bottom cap is engraved with a Queen's Crown and "SHERIFF OFFICER". The center band is unmarked, but moves freely on the shaft. If the officer encountered resistance in performing his duties he would move the ring from one end to the other signifying that additional charges and penalties would be sought against the individual.
Figure 29 is a silver and ebony example from Glascow, Scotland, engraved "Bailie James Brown, 1859" "Let Glascow Flourish" a tree, and "Police Chambers". In Scotland a Bailie was a city administrator ranking just below the mayor.
Figure 30 is a nearly identical example. It has the initials "MA" engraved on the bottom of the end cap.
Figure 31 is an Irish bog oak hand carved truncheon from the Irish city of Inniskilling. A silver representation of Inniskilling castle as well as the word "Inniskilling" are inlayed in the truncheon. Irish motifs of shamrocks and a harp are carved into the wood.
Figure 32 is a group of hand carved Irish bog oak truncheons. These were carried by parish constables in Ireland and were also very popular with American policeman of Irish ancestry. Irish bog oak is a very dense, nearly petrified, wood from the bogs (swamps) of Ireland. Legend among the descendants of Irish-American policemen is that their ancestors identified the worst miscreants after a melee by looking for shamrocks or harps imbedded in their heads. The presence of such a memento indicated that the individual had to be "restrained" by an officer.
Figure 33 is a brass mounted George III truncheon ehgraved "GR/1812 Heny Hobson".
This article was not intended to be, nor is it, a definitive work on English law enforcement. I hope it may serve as a primer on a group of interesting and historically significant law enforcement collectibles.
Pat Lynch
Email plynch4@earthlink.net
1999