Rare Halesworth truncheon from 1790s to be sold at auction

A rare truncheon telling a piece of Suffolk's history from the late 18th century is set to be sold at auction this week.

The baton, which dates back to 1792 and whose original owner was from Halesworth, is one of an extensive collection set to go under the hammer with Dreweatts auctioneers on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the auctioneers said truncheons, which were used before official police forces were founded, that are dated before the 1880s are considered 'exceptionally rare and are therefore highly prized and sought-after'.

"The majority of the highly decorated pieces were seen in the 18th century and often featured coats of arms, motif, symbols and emblems connected to their owner and the region that the owner was from," she added.

The George III long stave, with a gilded ball finial and inscribed G III. R alongside a royal coat of arms and 'Halesworth', is expected to fetch between £600 and £800, with an opening bid of £550.

The seller of the collection, who is a private collector who has carefully curated it over many years, said: "It was the more unusual, interesting and scarcest of pieces that I sought, as well as those in the finest condition.

"I also wanted the broadest range of examples for the collection.”

The Suffolk truncheon is one of a collection of more than 50 painted truncheons, tipstaves and early weapons set to be auctioned by Dreweatts on Wednesday.

Ashley Matthews, specialist at Dreweatts, said, while the highly decorated, predominantly Victorian defence pieces are seen on the market occasionally, 'it is very rare to have such an extensive selection of them together'.

For more information, or to view the lot online, click here.