Wooden truncheon with metal swivel type joint/repair c1860
Name/Title
Wooden truncheon with metal swivel type joint/repair c1860
Entry/Object ID
941
Description
Wooden black painted truncheon 17 3/4 inches (45cm) long with multi turned handle and unpainted two- piece steel swivel joint just above.There is an old style circular collector's sticker on the handle. No other markings.
Use
For use by a police, special or parish constable as protection
Context
This truncheon is of a very unusual design. Its general style with a multi turned handle, the overall shape and length suggest it is British, 19th century. It would be typical of truncheons used until the 1880s, but for the metal collars and apparent swivel joint. At first this seems to be just be a repair to a broken truncheon, but given the effort involved it may suggest more than that. Also if this were just a repair why does it have a swivel joint and not a fixed collar ? The absence of any marks suggest it is not a patented design. At this time it is not known whether this represents a specific type of manufacture or modification, or whether it is simply a well executed one off repair. It probably dates to c1860 but the modification may be later.
