‘Ello ‘ello ‘ello! 100 police truncheons and bludgeons up for auction in Newbury

A single owner collection of 100 police truncheons and bludgeons will go under the hammer in the Militaria and Collectables auction at Special Auction Services in Newbury on Tuesday, November 21, for an estimate of £8,000.

The wooden truncheons date from the Victorian period to the 1960s and are made of various woods. Most are hand painted and the designs contain the police station name, area and/or the officer’s service number.

The collector was from Berkshire and the truncheons are being sold as part of his estate.

He enjoyed woodwork and used to make walking canes and sticks, and it is this hobby that piqued his fascination with the wooden truncheons.

His collection was kept around the house and although at first his wife was unsure about his collecting hobby, she, as with the rest of the family, soon began to appreciate them too and there were many family trips out scouring car boot sales, arcades and antiques fairs to find the newest addition to the collection.

Highlights include a Chartist Riots 1848 Victorian Police Constable's wooden Truncheon (estimate £120-180); a Victorian Scottish Painted Police Truncheon by McNaughton, Glasgow, decorated with the standard pattern of Crown and Cipher (estimate £100-150); a Victorian Cheshire Constabulary wooden truncheon, stamped for the H Division (estimate £70-100); and a vintage Mounted Police Officer's wooden Truncheon complete with carry case is also expected to fetch the same estimate.

Bidding will also take place online via https://auction.specialauctionservices.com/upcoming-auctions/

SAS is based in Nexus Park, Plenty Close, off Hambridge Road.