Victorian Bingley Police/ West Riding Constabulary (Bradford West Yorkshire) Tipstaff Police Truncheon with Hand Painted Decoration & V.R. Queen’s Crown Royal Cypher. Sn 21110 Victorian Bingley Police/ West Riding Constabulary (Bradford West Yorkshire) Tipstaff Police Truncheon with Hand Painted Decoration & V.R. Queen’s Crown Royal Cypher. Sn 21110 Antique & Militaria

Bingley is a market town in the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford, in West Yorkshire, England. In 1856 the West Riding Constabulary was formed and policed Bingley. In 1968 the West Riding Constabulary was renamed West Yorkshire Police. The earliest record of the Tipstaff (Warrant Stick) was in the 14th Century. The name derives from the early origins of Policing when Warranted Officers would apprehend a criminal with the help, if necessary, of a tipped staff. The staff would be made of wood or metal and were not only a means of self-defence but also symbols of their authority. Modern Police Truncheons originated from these Tipstaffs. This is an excellent original Victorian era Tipstaff Truncheon. The body is made of ebonised wood tapered and shaped for grip. The staff measures 14 ½” length. It has hand painted decoration featuring a Crown and Royal Cypher ‘V.R’ above ‘Bingley 1’ (possibly No.1 district, officer or armoury number). All the staffs gold, green and red decoration is vivid. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21110.