Name/Title
Unpainted Victorian truncheon stamped "HRV" c1868Entry/Object ID
644Description
Unpainted wooden truncheon 17-5 inches (45cm) in length, with multi turned handle and cord strap, marked with an embossed or branded crown, "21" and "HRV". On top of handle is stamped "7"Use
For use by a police officer or other official for protectionContext
The earliest police truncheons tend to be 17 -20 inches (43-51cm) in length and highly decorated, usually with a crown and sometimes with the addition of a royal coat of arms. This was because in the days before police warrant or ID cards, the truncheon was the officer's badge of office and symbolised his authority from the crown for carrying out his duties. In 1856 the Metropolitan Police reduced the length of their standard truncheons to 17 inches.
Throughout the 19th century there were large scale public demonstrations that on occasion led to rioting, as well as other political issues that led to the swearing in of large numbers of "Special Constables". These were members of the public sworn under oath by magistrates as temporary constables. They were issued with truncheons, and branded or embossed examples were much cheaper than painted versions. In 1868 for example the Metropolitan Police purchased 1500 truncheons branded with a crown and" VR" especially for the use of special constables (Wilkinson 2002 page 173).
This particular truncheon is unusual though, in that the cypher is not "VR", standing for "Victoria Regina", representing Queen Victoria. Instead it bears the letters "HRV". The explanation for this may lay in the response to fears of a possible Fenian (Irish Republican) uprising in 1868, following a bomb attack at Clerkenwell Prison in December 1867. Large numbers of special constables were enrolled and volunteer rifle battalions of the army (founded in the period 1860-1863) were known to have been issued with truncheons. Examples are known from Kent that are painted with the letters "KRV" for Kent Rifle Volunteers (Cook 2014, page 118). It is quite probable that "HRV" represents a volunteer rifle battalion from a county (these units were founded on a county basis) beginning with "H", such as Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Herefordshire, Huntingdon etc.