Collection of 12 Sussex Constabulary tunic buttons 1968-1974
Name/Title
Collection of 12 Sussex Constabulary tunic buttons 1968-1974
Entry/Object ID
2349
Description
Collection of 12 chrome plated tunic buttons, marked with a Queens' Crown and "Sussex Constabulary" and on the rear "Firmin London"
Use
To fasten a police tunic.
Context
Generally there are two sizes of metal police buttons, a larger one to fasten the front of a tunic, and smaller ones to fasten the tunic pockets. Sometimes small buttons were also used to fasten epaulettes and as additional adornments on tunics. Until the mid 1990s it was common for most police forces in the UK to have buttons made with their force name on. However after that simpler generic buttons with just a Queen's Crown on have been used. These tend to be of a lower quality and are not always made of metal.
These particular tunic buttons come from Sussex Constabulary and as such can be dated from 1968, when the force was formed, until 1974 when the name was changed to Sussex Police. They were made by the famous badge and button manufacturer Firmin. From 1974 Sussex Police used very similar buttons to these but with the word "Constabulary" replaced with "Police".
Sussex Police have not issued tunics to officers for approximately 20 years. Instead they hold a stock of them to lend to officers for special duties or ceremonial occasions.
