News & updates

 

Having completed all the core topics I originally wanted, I'm now focused on continually reviewing and adding to existing posts and pages whilst only occasionally finding the need to create a new one. 

Probably the most active post is the 'Ebay sales archive' where I list items of interest which have appeared on eBay or other auction sites. 

I've scaled down my collecting significantly in recent years. I managed to acquire most of what I set out to find. For example, it took quite some time to find every helmet varient used by Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Even though I've not attempted to acquire one of their current issue helmets which now uses a chrome band around the outside. That makes it current issue, which is always harder to obtain than anything no longer issued, due to the legallity of owning it. 

Avon & Somerset Constabulary is celebrating it's 50th anniversay in 2024

Within the last few years it feels like there's been a fall in the value of Police memorabilia items, with just a few exceptions. 

September 2024

Other badges - Some updated information regarding some rare collar badges used with ceremonial uniforms. 

August 2024

Police Truncheons - I've added information about a replica police truncheon available for sale. 

August 2024

The Clevedon Auction Rooms sale went ahead on 25 July and also on 15 August. This included a varity of very interesting lots which included a Police cell door, Somerset Constabulary flag and Fingerprinting desk from Bridewell Police station. I've created a new post to list the majority of items which were sold. Some of these were being listed on eBay afterwards. 

May 2024

Auction alert!!!!!

There will be an auction of mostly Avon & Somerset Constablary related vintage Police memorabilia held at Clevedon Auction Rooms, Bristol on July 4. 

This auction includes items such as  badges, swords, furniture, WW2 bicycles lamps, signs and more. 

July 2023

This month I was fortunate enough to visit the new Police museum at Avon & Somerset Constabulary headquarters. I found this very interesting and was able to make some permanent donations from my own personal collection during my visit. I should point out the museum is not open to the general public so I'll write a seperate blog post about it in due course.  It can be visited by small groups such as schools or organisations by appointment only.  Update: my blog post on this is now live. 

Another example of an early Somerset Constabulary helmet plate with centre hole. 

A variation of the BSC (Bristol Special Constabulary) button badge, with rear lug fixings.  

May 2023

Ongoing edits includes updates on the Port of Bristol Police page and blog posts under Police helmet design, Introduction to British Police helmets and British Police Uniform Part 1.

New post created about Police clothing maker Huggins and Bristol. 

Deleted post called Share your experiences. This information is now incorporated into About my Blog.

 

February 2023

Bristol Constabulary whistle and other branded crockery added to Ebay Archive post.

Example of a Bridgwater Borough Police helmet plate added under Somerset Constabulary page.

September 2022

With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, we shall see Police badges featuring the royal cypher slowly changed from E II R to C III R to reflect the incoming His Majesty King Charles III. Hertfordshire Police were already using a helmet plate with a removable ER centre so it could be replaced with CR. There are still many Police Forces which use the generic ER cypher on their helmet plates and cap badges.

Added some additional background to the City of Bath helmet. 

Somerset Constabulary notebook.

Somerset Constabulary cabinet photograph. 

Somerset Rugby Football Club fabric patch/badge.

August 2022

I'm pleased to report that Avon & Somerset Constabulary intend to open their own museum at their Headquarters in Portishead.

Avon & Somerset Police Federation centenary pin badge.

Bath Special Constabulary lapel badge. 

Somerset & Bath Constabulary cap badge in unfinished brass.

Western Counties Air Operations Unit patch variation.

Somerset Constabulary senior officer lapel badges.

Plastic breast badge 'sample'.

Avon & Somerset Constabulary silver sugar/tea spoon.

Somerset Constabulary helmet plate Wyvern centres.

Avon & Somerset Constabulary promotional pin badge.

Bridgwater Police tunic button. 

Police high visibility jacket.

Update photos of a 1980's South Wales Police anorak.

Updated section of vinyl badges. 

Updated photographs of Bristol Constabulary helmet No. A234

Additional photographs of City of Bath Police helmet.

 

December 2021

Pin badges added under Somerset Constabulary pages.

November 2021

New variant cap badge with slider fixing added under the Cap Badge section.

September 2021

Several new additions to the section on using eBay.

Added photos of a Dorset Police prototype helmet under Police helmet design and variants

May 2021

Information on a historical collar badge added under Port of Bristol and 'Other metal badges' posts.

Some information on C.H. Bernard & Sons who supplied capes to Somerset Constabulary in the 1960s - see under British Police Uniform Part (bottom of the page).

March 2021

I've added some new/improved photos with kind permission from an Australian collector. This includes a blazer badge, Bristol and A&S painted helmet plates, Bristol Special Constabulary badge and rare chrome A&S badge.

January 2021 - Happy New Year!
- New post on body armour. Since this is a big topic I decided not to try and add it to any of my existing posts on uniform. Initially just stab-proof vests, I'll add more in due course to cover other body armour used. It will remain an overview since there is plenty of more generic information available on this subject elsewhere on the internet.

December 2020 

New post about buying from eBay.

April 2020

I'm pleased to announce that as of today (29 April) the Police Memorabilia Collectors Club (PMCC) is back online after a few years offline. I've updated my link on the right hand margin.  

http://www.pmcc-club.co.uk/museum/index.php

I've removed some broken web links in Uniform part 1. The news stories linked to are no longer available on the web. I'll start taking screen shots to ensure the information is retained for future reference. 

February 2020
- Updates to the post on British Police Vehicles.

January 2020
- I've re-written what was previously the "Your memories" post and changed it to "Share your experiences" in an effort to encourage comments.

- Updates on Uniform Part 1.

- Various other edits throughout including changes to some headings and titles.
- I've embedded some excellent reference photos courtesy of Getty Images who now offer a selection royalty free.

July 2019
City of Bath Police trophy (Somerset Amateur Swimming Association 1938).
Somerset & Bath ash tray, Somerset Special Constabulary badge, Port of Bristol diaries, Avon & Somerset Constabulary tie pin, Somerset Constabulary helmet photos updated. 

December 2018
I've added a contact form which appears on the bottom right margin of each page so it's easier for anyone to get in touch with me.

November 2018
- Unfortunately the Police Memorabilia Collectors Club (PMCC) referred to in my blog has closed due to ill health of it's owner/system administrator. The website and associated online museum is no longer accessible.

- Truncheons! I've noticed this month that more truncheons are appearing on eBay. It looks like eBay may have lifted their ban. Police truncheons have been catagorised by eBay as an offensive weapon and any listings were previously being removed. This is good news for collectors! However, I would recommend waiting until the intial price surge drops. The value of a standard truncheon is about £15-£30 so I wouldn't pay more. Several years ago I found it difficult to sell some of my spare truncheons, including a rather nice City of London truncheon, which would no doubt sell for much more on eBay today. I sold them through collecting circles at that time for rather modest prices.

Update: this appears to have been a 'blip' as there are no longer any being listed. Any such listings are removed after a short time by eBay in line with it's offensive weapons policy. If you are looking for a police truncheon then your best bet is to try an online Police/militaria trader. Expect to pay about £30.

September 2018
- Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) badges added under section on cloth badges.
- Minor updates regarding new style custodian helmet under 'Current issue helmet'.

August 2018
-Detailed photographs of tunic buttons under Somerset Constabulary page.
-Bullion style cloth peaked cap badge added under Cloth badges.

June 2018
Various edits throughout as well as some new additions including:
-Bristol Constabulary Kings Crown senior officers cap badge;
-City of Bath Police horse brass;
-Somerset Constabulary helmet and information;
-Two additional Somerset Constabulary motorcycle helmet plates;
-Text updates to post on current issue helmet;
-Two tie pins added to existing post on 'Other metal badges'.

August 2017
Somerset & Bath Constabulary helmet photographs added.
Edit to my existing post featuring the current issue Avon & Somerset Police helmet. 

July 2017

I'm pleased to report that Avon & Somerset Constabulary have decided to make public some of their extensive photograph archive. They have recruited volunteers to help with this time consuming work over the last year. I think this is an excellent decision and in line with other Police Forces who have their own websites with historical information. It's nice to see they are now making good use of the photo website Flickr to share these photographs. This is a real 'treasure trove' for collectors since there has previously been almost no photographs available to assist in researching badges and uniform. Well done to Avon & Somerset Constabulary - keep up the good work! I look forward to seeing more photographs in future. I shall make selective use of these in my blog to reference aspects of badges and uniforms.

Avon & Somerset Constabulary history and heritage


Bristol Constabulary - photograph of WW1 Special Constable; BSC lapel badge
Somerset  & Bath Constabulary - collar badges and photographs
Somerset Constabulary - more photos and information on helmet plate variations

Somerset Constabulary - WW2 enamel collar badges
Somerset & Bath Constabulary - Senior officers enamel badge
Avon & Somerset Constabulary - Gold warrant card wallet badge; tie pin badge

June 2017
City of Bath Police page - More photographs of the old Police station as it is today.
WW2 Steel helmets - more examples of stencil variants. 

March 2017
Updates to section on radios under Equipment part 1.
Section on 'helmet maker marks' now incorporated within the existing section on 'helmet makers'.

February 2017
I've moved the 'helmet buying guide' post and incorporated it into 'Collecting Police helmets' as that seemed more logical.

January 2017
Miscellaneous items
- Presentation wall shield
edits to section on other metal badges
various minor edits to pages on uniform

August 2016

I've made some improvements to the layout of my blog. I've changed some posts into stand-alone pages which are now shown as headings on the main page. These topics sit quite nicely on their own and are now easier to navigate between. I've added all the main sections I wanted for now so will concentrate on editing and adding to the existing posts and pages. I've upgraded my camera so hopefully can add some better quality photographs in future. I acquire new items for my collection from time to time so will add these to the relevant sections when I can.

Bristol Constabulary
- Photos from inside the old Bridewell Police station, central Bristol.
- Photograph of a Bristol Constabulary War Reserve Policeman
- 1950's/60's era pocket notebook covers
Somerset & Bath Constabulary
- Tea cup and saucer
Other metal badges
- 4 different tie pins
Uniform Part 4
- PCSO epaullettes
Miscellaneous items
- Avon & Somerset Constabulary tea cup and saucer

How to contact me

If you would like to get in touch with me you can complete the new feedback form or simply post a short comment including your email address on any of my posts/pages so I can get back to you. I will ensure the comment is not published so your email address does not go public.