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Jason's Police Collection
Irish & German Police
Hi Fred, it’s 72484. I’d certainly be interested in seeing a photo of your sword. I presume it has the correct guard unlike mine?
Cheers Jason
Hi Gareth, apologies for the delayed reply but I don’t monitor the site. I hope you did keep the shirt as its worth keeping, or at least selling.
Cheers Jason
Hi Jason, Just curious what the number on the sword with the transitional badge is. Mine from 1923/24 is 59929 and it has the same badges on the blade as your example. Will send photos if you are interested
I hope you got my last message as website seems a bit glitchy. I believe the shirt is an RUC Kosovo shirt
Morning. I am clearing my garage and have found a white short sleeve shirt with RUC Crest and police below it on left breast and a blue/white UN and union flag on right sleeve. Would this be worth holding onto
Hiya there, you have a brilliant website here and I’ve had a good look through but I do have a couple of questions. First one being, is it possible to actually visit your collection in person as that would be great? And second, do you have advice on collecting RUC headwear in particular, as I find some great pieces but the price on some of them could sometimes be considered extortion, which is a massive problem for me especially since I have just turned 18, I don’t have a great amount of income coming in, I have multiple other Police headwear pieces, mainly Scottish as that’s where I live but I have always been interested in the RUC which has been even further reinforced since visiting the PSNI museum during the week there.
Many thanks and Regards
Murray Lumsden
I have a B Special medal, which you have a picture on this site – it is in a picture of three medals……
It has crossed rifles, with an inner ring of blue enamel.
Cheers
Your most welcome. Enjoy having it!
Hi, thanks for the reply regarding Ronnie Flanagans hat. This seems to be inline with the hat I acquired. Mine is allegedly his final hat as Chief Constable in Northern Ireland. It is a size 58. So it’s very probable this is true. Not a big size difference. You have been very helpful.
Thanks again.
Tim.
Hi Tim,
sorry for the delay – it was more complicated than I thought. I am told the cap was his, but to be fair, all I know for sure is that he presented it. It’s entirely possible that it was old stock so to speak, but I suspect it was his as Chiefs keep about three at any one time and Pat Armstrong was his boss, so a close connection. Anyway, in answer to your question it is size 57 (7 & one eighth).
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. The RUC crest would have been removed and stored at Seapark – central stores just outside N’ards. I expect that they were catalogued, but I wouldn’t be too confident of ever finding it, unless it was one of the few that were given as official momentos. The RIC crest is far easier to come by and, in fairness, weren’t replaced by the RUC crest on the blue lamp until the mid 1930s. As to the exact one from that barracks? It’s possible; some do have good provinance, others guesswork, but most are unknown. It wouldn’t be difficult to get one though if he wanted. Hope that helps. All the best – Jason
My brother has bought an old RIC/ RUC police barracks in Banbridge, County Down, NI. Do you have any info on where the old signs could be? I know it is a bit of a long shot but it would be nice to find it and perhaps make a copy of it to rehang on the outside of the building at some point.
Hi James, I’d need to see a picture of what you are describing. Sergeant stripes were red on greatcoats, gold on working dress. In respect of the helmet – you mean an early riot helmet? Cheers Jason
Hi Tim, sorry for the delay in replying. I’ll have a look and get back to you. All the best – Jason
Hello,
Wondering if you could help me, recently seen a collection which is up for sale and it had a few RUC items in it but it didn’t seem right. It was a Tunic with upside down Red/Black sergeant stripes in the middle of the arms. The person told me it was from 1980s. There is also a Helmet with a Visor, but the strange thing is the helmet has no support across the visor which all the previous ones I have seen have. If you could give me any information it would be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Hi, Jason. I see you have a cap presented by Sir Ronnie Flanagan in a glass display case. Do you know wether this was one of his personal hats or worn? I ask because I’ve recently purchased a hat claiming to have been worn by him, and was wondering could you tell me the size? This might give me a beter idea if it was his? Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards
Tim.
Hi Hugh, thanks for the intell and feedback. I only play at the site, it needs a lot of time I don’t presently have, but it is a labour of love fror all that. Really appreciate the info re Lillian Shier – I haven’t yet made the time to look into it, so that’s much appreciated, thank you.
All the best
Jason
Hi Jason, like your site. Re Lilian Shier and her gift from the RIC. It was not on the occasion of her wedding, for she did not marry until 30th September 1914. Perhaps her engagement or on the retirement of her father DI Hugh Shier who retired from Ballina on 29.06.1914. I have their particulars if you do not already have them. He joined as a labourer and worked his way up to 2nd Class District Inspector, having served as Head Constable of Musketry at the Depot.
Hi Brad. Hard to say how rare they are. Rare enough that collectors fight over them and they go for decent money, between £300 – £800 from experience. I’ve only seen about 5 come up for sale in 30 years. They came in at least three different patterns & I only have the one type which all used lugs. I’d be interested to see your example if you have the time. All the best – Jason
hi
how rare are the trasitional badges for the Royal Ulster Constabulary?
what fittings were used on the reverse?
i have one but the fittings are missing. look like they would have been blades rather than lugs
anyway, maybe i can send you a pic
cheers
brad
Really appreciate the info, thank you!
J
Morning Neil,
thanks for the comment and glad you like the site – though it’s still very much a work in progress. That type of greatcoat was, to the best of my knowledge, still in use in the 1960s, though possibly more so by the USC. None of the photos that of have of Derry in 69 show officers in greatcoats – maybe it was too warm? Before my time at any rate. Lots of kit was re-used by officers and passed down until the clothing allowance was stopped and uniform was all issued. Certainly the thin gannex type coats came in the 1970s & 80s. Hope that’s of some use.
All the best
Jason
I just stumbled across this web page, and am i glad i did!
This subject deserves a book, and many like myself would be very glad to see it.
My i ask a question about the RIC/RUC greatcoat?
Would this style of greatcoat have been the same as worn in the late 1960s?…”battle of the Bogside” etc?
It is great to see such detail about the RUC uniform.
Thank you Sir.
Neil.
Hi – not enough for me to go on I’m afraid – which helmet in particular?
Greetings..Great site. Attempting to price a helmet that looks to be identical to yours on the right of side by side pic. From my dad’s collection. A dealer is interested. May donate to museum. Thank you..
Hi Tim,
yes that ‘armour’ was used by the RUC in 1969 but swiftly replaced as it was total rubbish. I think I do have pictures of it in use somewhere & will see if I can dig it out for you. THe RUC then used armour made by BCM (Bristol Armour) as well as locally sourced armour made by Highmark. Hope that helps.
Jason
Hi.
Great collection!!
Could you give me some information on the old leather covered body armour. Were these used by the RUC? I have recently acquired a set of the same, but have never seen pics or any info on them. I presume it is older than the bristol turtle armour? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
Hi Fred – appreciate your input. I’ve been ill with Covid recently but will respond properly in due course. I’d be interested to see the crest on your blade. All the best – Jason
Morning Jim,
No, the USC plaques were momentoes predominantly made around the disbandment of the force in 1970. To the best of my knowledge the USC never had their own operational stations seperate from the RUC, although they did have their own training establishment / halls as well as seperate administration offices provided by the NI Govt and MOD.
Best
Jason
Good Morning I have just found your excellent site and was admiring the collection, I noticed on the topic of station plaques that the Ulster Special Constabulary have a plaque. May I ask were cast iron plaques to the U.S.C. official issue and displayed on buildings in similar fashion to the display of R.I.C. and later R.U.C. plaques on stations
Regards Jim H
Dear Alan, excellent!
There were different types of cap badge depending upon the type of headress and whether for officers or other ranks. I hope you enjoy them.
All the best
Jason
i have been given a victorian RIC cap badge and two lapel badges and also two 1922 Garda badges .
I am a retired member of An Garda Siochana. I enjoyed looking through your website, it is a credit to you. The beeches in the Garda tab were issued to Gardai who were qualified motorcyclists. A Garda was issued with 1 tunic and 2 pairs of slacks per year. A Garda motorcyclist was issued with 1 tunic, 1 pair of slacks and 1 pair of breeches. I know this as I was a qualified motorcyclist. Motorcyclists were also issued with a special Motorcycle Great coat, it was shorter with a short opening on each side, a Cloth Belt, with the baton pocket inside the left breast and notebook pocket inside right. The lining of the sleeves were elasticated at the cuffs. I have one in the attic and will send you a photo of it when I next go up there.
Hi Terry, most of these are competition medals from the annual ‘Rifle Meeting’ and are generally unmarked because of the cost of engraving. Back in the 30s the B Class had very limited budgets and the government of NI would only pay for one annual meeting, albeit they did give the ammunition free and allowed (unpaid) practice throughout the year. The Armagh USC are the only examples I have which are county marked. All the others just have ‘USC’ and the date. I have one or two engraved to the rear. All of the them are Stirling Silver or Silver and Enamel and, in my opinion, are so close in size and design to the RUC AA medals that they almost certainly came from the same source – although I am speculating here. I have seen other dates on the Armagh medals, so they clearly produced them for a reasonable length of time, but I’m not sure how long. Hope that’s of interest. Cheers – Jason
I have 2 of those USC medals issued 1937 Co Armagh would love more information on them they are un inscribed
Hi Ryan,
sure no problem. Do you just want a clear image of the front, or any other angle? The back is flat as you’d expect with no visable markings or makers stamp.
Jason
Thanks, Josef Maestas for letsbeavinyou.com
Hi Jason thanks for the further info. Yeh saw the cardboard one. I have spoken to some ex Leeds city and they can recall one either but that’s not to say there isn’t one from early 20th century/ 19th century period.
I will keep looking never the less. An example to the Nottingham City Police recently came up on EBay.
If this has change re the collection please get back in touch.
All the best
Steve
Hi Steve,
presume that you saw the card Leeds City crest in the photo gallery? I’m not sure that the city force ever made a cast-iron one: at least not that I’ve ever seen. I’m afraid the collection is going to my kids, but you never know how life changes. All the best – Jason
Hi Jason,
Just found this site after looking into station plaques. I have a West Riding plaque from an old station house, and have never seen one of the more ornate signs you have. I have been seeking a Leeds City one but not sure if they ever existed, are you any the wiser? If you ever consider selling the ornate West Riding one please get in touch!!!
Thanks for the feedback. It’s probably only half finished atm, but I’ll get there.
The best way of getting quality pieces is to be a known collector and that takes time. For starting off ebay is actually not bad, but sometimes they have bargains and other times people ask stupid money for things are only worth pence. The other way is to follow the local (NI) auctions as they often have police kit at reasonable prices. Another route is PICA or PICA(NI). RUC cap and collar badges from the 90s and 2000s are plentiful and should be cheap as chips. I’d be more than happy to advise further if you like.
What a brilliant web sight. extremely interesting and a great tool for gaining knowledge. I have always collected WELSH police memorabilia but recently began collecting RUC and PSNI insignia, Any advice on how or where to pick up some simple items to begin with will be greatly appreciated, RUC or PSNI cap badges will be a brilliant place to begin I think.
Hello Jason, Great job on the website and enjoyed my visit. I’m looking for a 1920 +/- Hamburg police tschako and a 1898-1910 Berlin police pickelhaube. Do you have any sources that I can contact that might have these? Thanks
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to point that out. It’s the detail that counts. Very impressed with your books btw – I have only just got them and looking forward to a good read through.
I have quite a bit more to put up on the site, but it does take me a long time – still, perseverence & all that. Thanks again. Any other insights welcomed.
Jason, a very good site with very interesting pieces. However, you have a figure of a RUCGC Sgt with a red sash stating that it was of a Sgt Instructor at Garnerville. This is correct and incorrect, correct that it was of a Sgt Instructor at Garnerville but the red sash was for Sgt/Constable Drill Instructors only. No other Sgt/Constable Instructor wore the red sash. The class room Instructors all wore a green lanyard on the left shoulder.
This is a great collection. I was wondering if you could help with some research questions? I’m not sure the best way to contact to explain further but I will provide my email address.
I’m looking into RUC/British Army and also content relating to the Irish border especially during operation Banner and their permanent checkpoints.
Hi John – thanks for pointing it out. My eyesight isn’t quite what it was and I hadn’t noticed that it was painted. You’d wonder why someone would take the trouble to bother, but they didn’t do a bad job. I’ll amend the page accordingly. Thanks again.
Nice collection.
Inteseting badge there with the blue paint on it. Thats an officers gilt-gold badge painted dark blue and sky blue. Not an enamelled current staybright badge. Nicely done, but not original.
Dear Sir,,
I find your images and informations about Tschakos very good and impressive.
I have got too a little collection of Tschakos with metal chains.
What’s your name and where do you live? What’s your profession?
With best regards
HP Karl