Hi Andy,
Now here is yet another intriguing and extremely esoteric sector of arms! the truncheon (aka billy club, baton, nightstick ) and I think Gav's advice is most well placed. Most police departments seem to have varying collections and groupings of memoribilia, including these weapons.
When I saw your post I recalled I had seen something on these long ago, and found in "Arms and Armor Annual" (ed. Robert Held, 1979) an article by Frederick Wilkinson, "William Parker and Parker Field, Gunmakers" (pp.275-282). While this title suggests guns, it includes certain other notes as these makers were major suppliers to the Constabulary in the 19th century. There are two truncheons specified on p.282:
1. truncheon of a Hatton Garden police officer, which is black with gold lettering, base of the grip stamped 'PARKER HOLBORN'. Length: 20.5"
2. truncheon of Metropolitan Police, finely painted with royal arms,
overall length: 12.5"
* it is noted this shorter type was carried by inspectors and plain
clothes detectives.
John Field, the partner, proposed in innovation idea for the leather case in which the truncheon carried attached to the belt until the 1860's. He put a leather covered spring in the bottom, which ejected the truncheon when the flap was opened, a 'quick draw truncheon' !!
Apparantly on late 19th century to early 20th c. the upper part of the stick was stamped with crown atop the letters 'CP' (=city police), often lower near the grip was a three digit badge number. Divisional letters were not used until after 1910.
The term 'billy club' was used about mid 19th century, with numerous ideas about its etymology. Some say it is actually 'bully' club, as British police were called by this term, one reference even suggests the Shakespearean term 'billets' used in context of beating ones brains out with billets. As is often the case, the true origin remains unclear.
In the 19th century, the Special Constable (SC) often was called in to assist regular officers, and these individuals often fashioned thier own sticks in the style of the regular form, and personally had them colorfully painted with arms etc. Other markings that might be found are SSD (= special or section sergeant and D= division) for example.
It seems many are painted black (a dated example from 1842, with narrow handle and leather lanyard is black with gold crown and VR cypher).
A British truncheon from 1930's is noted of lignum vitae (ironwood) as noted, but it is unclear from what I could find how commonly or how long this estremely hard wood was used. It is noted that these truncheons were about 1 1/4" in diameter and from 18 to 36" long. The longer ones were said to be called 'riot batons'.
Another note points out that red examples were traffic batons.
Just notes I could find online and in that article cited. It would be interesting to see some posts of examples of these, and as noted, some of the varying specifications.
Thank you for the interesting post!
All best regards,
Jim
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