Magnificent collection of „police truncheons“, called batons. This collection can be seen in the „Edinburgh Police Museum“ , Scotland. Beautifully decorated and individually designed,
most from the early 19th century.

 Baton collection.

In 1749, after a sharp crime rise in London, the judge Henry Fielding founded the first
professional police force. In his house in Bow Street, London, where the magistrate
court was housed, the „Bow Street Runners“ were at home. It was only a private and
privately funded police force.

They could be hired by any person who wanted „police force“ work, to solve problems or
detect crimes. The payment was negotiable and made like today’s private detectives.
Anyone can imagine, that people with much money had their legal work done quick, as the
poorest had no help at all.

Bow Street Runners and a Modern Police Man.

Bow street runners were recruited mostly from former constables, because they had already
some respect in the criminal world as „thief takers“, had contacts to the underworld and
last but not least, they could earn more money. During the years they got more and more
respected. Especially the , mostly well trained and from higher education, detectives.

After a short time also was established the „Bow Street Horse Patrol“,
and the very successful „Bow Street Detectives“. They acted quickly throughout the United
Kingdom. All were with their own personal and custom made truncheons, so called „batons“,
equipped. In 1839 the „Metropolitan Police“, London, was founded and the end came for the
famous and successful Bow Street Runners.

 Bow Street Horse Patrol.

This is a Bow Street Runner with his „baton“. Henry Fielding’s building, in Bow Street
London, still exists today as a police station.  During the 19th century the Bow Street
Magistrate Offices housed also the Police station, the horse police station and the
regional courts.

Bow Street Runner.       Bow Street baton.

This gorgeous baton is very rare , because of it’s age from c. 1790 . It might belonged to an
officer or detective, because of the very decorative presentation.

Antique baton from about 1790.   Authors collection.

Painted in gold and red, the coat of arms of Great Britain. In the Belt of the Garter
„Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense“, what means (Middle French) :
„Shame On Him, Who Thinks Evil Of It“.
The coat of arms is then topped with crown and lion..