Original British 1918–1919 Police Strikes Era Painted “Special Constable” Bobby Police Truncheon with Strap - Dated 1916-1919

Original Item: One-of-a-Kind. In lovely matured condition this measures 15 1/2” inches in overall length and is dated 1916-1919 on the applied decal. This truncheon belonging to an officer in the Special Constable of Birmingham from 1916 to 1919, meaning he served during the 1918–1919 United Kingdom police strikes. During the 1918 strike, all of the National Union of Police and Prison Officers (NUPPO) demands had been met except official recognition of the union. Outside London there had been no strikes. By October, several other police forces around the country had been given pay increases. An immediate consequence of the strike was the increase in union membership, which jumped from 10,000 in August to 50,000 by November 1918.

The truncheon has what appears to be a decal or stencil applied with the coat of arms of Birmingham. The top of the decal bears the cypher of George V.

This example also retains its leather wrist strap, rare to see, but it is very weak.

An outstanding WWI era truncheon, ready for further research and display.