Police Tipstaff
Date made: early 19th century
Description: Small oak baton, contemporary with those issued in 1821 by The Duke of Athol for the suppression of riots, to special constables, it bears the following arms (three legs, crown and cipher of King George IV).
A Tipstaff was originally a long staff made of wood with one end topped with a crown.The crown could be unscrewed to reveal inside the staff, a warrant appointing the holder of the Tipstaff to their position of authority. Some of the tip staves were almost certainly a means of protection to the officer holding it too.
Measurements: overall: 25 x 3 cm
Materials: wood
Object name: truncheon
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1956-0143