British Police Uniform Part 2 - Tunics

Police Tunics

Since uniform is such a broad subject area, I decided to create some new sections which provide more detail, continuing here with tunics. I will try and use examples which relate to Avon & Somerset Constabulary. For anything which pre-dates 1974 when Avon & Somerset Constabulary was formed, I will refer to it's predecessors where possible.

Tunic style 1

Somerset Constable 1860

Tunic style 2

In 1897 a new style of Police tunic was introduced which had two upper pockets and high neck collar. This style was in use until the 1950's.

The Sketch, 21 April 1897

New Police tunic 1897

Somerset Constable Edwardian period

This very rare Edwardian period Somerset Constabulary tunic found it's way to a charity shop. It's still in excellent condition with all it's original buttons and badges. It's identical to the version shown in the 1911 dated photograph below.

1920's Somerset Constabulary sergeant's tunic

Button style used on the tunic above

Somerset Constabulary Sergeant 1911

 

Tunic style 3

In 1949 the London Met Police introduced open neck tunics to all ranks for the first time. Senior ranks of Inspector and above had already adopted these. Note that the new version shown below issued by the Metropolitan Police does not include a belt. Some Police Forces adopted tunics with belts which were sewn down, like the Huggins Somerset & Bath example below. This was probably to prevent someone from grabbing it.

Met Police 1949 - old and new

Huggins of Bristol supplied this tunic to Somerset & Bath Constabulary. Brighton-based maker of uni- forms, A. Grantham acquired Huggins in 1968 and began supplying the Police with tunics and coats under the Grantham name. Although Somerset & Bath Constabulary wasn't formed until 1967, it's possible this tunic was from the stores old new stock.

1960's Somerset & Bath Constabulary tunic with belt sewn down

Paper label showing this Somerset & Bath tunic originates from Bridgwater Police station

1980's era Devon & Cornwall Constabulary tunic by Grantham

Devon & Cornwall Police were one of  just a few Police forces who did not adopt the standard thin silver wire stripes seen on tunics from the 1930's to the 1980's. The maker Grantham also supplied Avon & Somerset Constabulary with their tunics during the 1980's.

 Tunic makers

 

Cheshire Police tunic

Bedford Police tunic by Dewhirst

Dewhirst Uniforms of Leeds became Turner Virr & Co. Ltd. and continue to supply clothing to the Police today. In the early days of Policing it was common for local suppliers to provide the Police with their uniforms. Most of these smaller companies no longer exist.

Leicester Police tunic

Dorset Police tunic

Salford City Police tunic

Lancashire Police tunic

Ministry of Defence police tunic by Dewhirst

1950's War Constabulary Police tunic

Buttons

As a rule, modern Police buttons are silver (chrome) and military buttons are gold (brass). One exception to this is the City of London Police who have historically used brass buttons and never changed to chrome. The Military Police use a plain chrome button with ER centre and the Prison service use plain chrome with a crown centre. New tunics issued by Avon & Somerset Constabulary when it was formed in 1974, adopted the generic police button shown below. These buttons have a crown centre with rose style pattern around the rim. Somerset & Bath had also previously used this style of button on their tunics.

Avon & Somerset Police generic style tunic button

Here are three examples of the generic style Police tunic button. Tunics use four of these buttons on the front and a smaller version for the top pockets/epaulettes. Senior ranks would also have two smaller buttons on the cuff of each sleeve. The first one shown below is a fraction smaller than the others and with no makers mark. The second button is made by Firmin and the third one made by Grantham.

Flat button?

Lost and found - This flattened button shown above was retrieved from the roadside having been run over by a vehicle.

I've acquired a number of different tunics over the years and have later sold these on since they were outside my main field of interest. It would have been nice to keep more for comparison but the fact is they take up lots of space. Tunics don't attract much interest so values are generally low, even for scarce versions. The only exceptions tend to be the earlier high collar versions in large sizes, ornate ceremonial versions or very senior ranks. 

Good original versions still appear on eBay on a regular basis from about £15 upwards. Dealers/traders on eBay often price them at a premium compared to a private sale. I think the best examples of tunics are those from the days when they were still made with separate epaulettes. Epaulettes were removed from tunics by the 1990's and metal numbers attached directly to the shoulder.

Avon & Somerset issue Police tunics are particularly hard to find. I think this is because of the strict disposal procedures adopted by Avon & Somerset Police. Any labels identifying the Police force are usually removed prior to disposal. I understand that more recently Avon & Somerset Police have preferred to destroy/shred any used or obsolete clothing themselves to save on disposal costs. What a waste - it's a crime! Sussex Police are moving with the times and are selling directly to the public via eBay - and why not (minus badges of course). I'm fortunate enough to have one example of an Avon & Somerset Constabulary tunic with all the original labels and metal numbers, dating from the 1980's. Despite the fact that the earlier versions are getting harder to come by, values remain low.