|
|
Victoria Police
Victorian
Constabulary, Victorian Police and the Victoria Police Force badge history.
Queen
Victoria Crown "Victorian Constabulary" Senior Officer's Helmet Plate. c 1880. Introduced by CCP Chomley.
*One of the Rarest Australian Police badges.
Some
time after Queen Victoria died in 1901, it seems some enterprising individuals decided to remove the bottom leg of the
"R", from the Royal "VR" Cypher on this badge, to form the letters "VP" for Victoria Police; so this badge could
continue to be used. Please note: Some "cast" imitations were made for a movie in the 1970's. These beautiful original
plates were made of "Sterling Silver" by Thomas Stokes and are "shellbacked" or "pressed" metal. Some crowns were
voided. They were not hallmarked.
Queen Victoria Crown "Victorian Constabulary" "VR" cypher bullion badge image worn by Commissioned
Officers; normally on a kepi. c 1880 - 1914. Some crown variants. After Queen Victoria died, the bottom leg of
the "R", in the Royal "VR" Cypher, was removed to form the letters "VP" for Victoria Police. 30
replica sets of the Commissioned Officer bullion badges were made by Ozbadge, under authority of Victoria Police, in 2006.
No originals of the QVC bullion badge are known to have survived. Copyright
© Ozbadge.
Victoria Police King's Crown "Officer's" bullion cap badge; the later
variant with a diminished cypher.
c 1935-1949. Very Rare. Copyright © Ozbadge.
The Victoria Police Force, King's Crown, Cap Badge/Helmet plate was introduced in 1947; with the French motto "Tenez Le Droit". It was issued for
use on the new military style, soft cloth forage cap, which replaced the famous tall, 1877 black "Sudweekes" Bobbie-style
helmets, which just displayed a row of white metal helmet numbers on them. It also replaced the "metal
numbers" which had been used on the recently introduced white "Summer" helmets and also on the Motorcycle Unit leather
forage-type caps. The black " Sudweekes" helmets were fully phased out during that year. The use of this new large
cap badge (or helmet plate) continued until well after 1955 when a new, smaller Cap Badge, of a
similar design (right), was introduced by CCP Porter. All "other ranks" were issued with both the larger and smaller
badges (with matching numbers) as a set; the larger was to be displayed on the new "white helmets" and the
new smaller badge was to be displayed on the new "soft forage caps". Both badges were also issued with "BAND"
or "P.W. (for Police Woman) and a number", in the plinth. Hallmarked "Stokes".
Numbered versions are Scarce, Band and P.W versions are Very Rare.and
matching "numbered sets" of both badges (the set) are Extremely Rare. c 1947 - 1973.
This "gold " Officer's cap badge was the first version
of the new multi coloured enamelled Victoria Police Force cap badges; issued to replace the Officer's, "VP" Bullion
cap badges (as above). This first
gilt and enamel version was introduced by the Chief Commissioner of Police Porter.
c 1958/9
- 1964. Hallmarked "Stokes". Extremely Rare.
In 1973, a new style of Victoria Police, Queen's Crown Cap Badge
was introduced for all ranks in multi colour enamel and chrome with the French Motto "Tenez Le Droit". The word "Force" had
been removed. The new "Officer's" Cap Badge (as above)
and the first flat ID Badge were issued with a numbered disc in the back.
This new badge style was also issued in a numbered plinth version for "other ranks", a "CADET" version and a "P.W. (Police
Woman) with number" version.
In 1985, these were replaced with the "Uphold the right" English
motto badge. The "English motto" cap badges were basically issued in four versions: an "Officer's" Cap Badge (with numbered disc), an "other ranks" numbered plinth Cap Badge, a flat ID
Badge (with a numbered disc or the Public Relations: VP/PR disc) and a "PSO" Cap Badge in Gilt. Since the introduction
of the English motto Cap Badge, all female officers were to wear exactly the same badge as their male counterparts.
ie; without the "PW" in the plinth. The "Cadet" badges ceased to be issued in 1979/80. "French Motto" (1973-1985) numbered versions are Rare. Cadet and P.W. "French Motto"
versions are Very Rare. English motto versions are current: from 1985 to present.
The Victorian Police, Queen Victoria, "VR" cypher, Detective's or plain
clothes officer's ID disc or medallion; normally used on a fob watch chain. The Detective Force, which owed its inception
in 1848 to Chief Constable Sugden, was replaced by the C.I.B around 1884. * One of the Rarest. c1883-1902.
King's Crown Victoria Police Force C.I.B "Detective's"
ID Fob Medallion. Second issue c 1902-1947. Very Rare.
The King's Crown, Victoria Police Force, "Harbour Trust
Commissioners" ID Disc; for use on a fob watch chain.
This was introduced by CCP Gellibrand around 1921 in conjunction with
the Melbourne Harbour Trust. The "Wharf Patrol", as it was known, later became the "Victoria Dock Police." It originally started
with two Detectives, but grew into a reasonably sized section of "plain clothes" policemen; as apposed to Detectives. c 1921-1945.
Very Rare.
Victoria Police Auxiliary Force cap badge.
1942-1953. Formed and used during WW2 due to the Officer shortage. Only a total of 202 female officers. Hallmarked: K.G. Luke. Rare.
Also in a Very Rare "Women's" Auxiliary Force version.
Note: Fictitious numbers on badges.
The Victorian Constabulary "VR" Cartouche badge
which was used by senior "officers" on their cross belt pouch. There
are variations to this plate, but all are "pressed" or shellbacked "Coin Silver". Made
by Thomas Stokes, but not hallmarked. Extremely Rare. C 1880.
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Ozbadge.com thanks Gordon Maulday
for his expert knowledge.
N.B: ** Victorian Constabulary , Victorian
Police or Victoria Police "bullion" badges are: Copyright © Ozbadge. All rights reserved.
Victoria Police King's Crown "Senior Officer's" bullion cap badge with
the botton leg of the "VR" cypher removed to form "VP" for Victoria Police. Some
variants of this badge also exist. King's Crown version c 1914 -1936. Extremely Rare. Copyright © Ozbadge.
Victoria Police Queen's Crown "Officer's" bullion cap badge with a large, bulbous padded crown.
c 1954/5 - 1959. Rare. Copyright
© Ozbadge.
A new, smaller Victoria Police Force, King's Crown Cap Badge was
introduced in 1955/56 by CCP Porter; for "other ranks".
This was basically a smaller version of the already issued larger
cap badge/helmet plate (left), but was issued to be displayed on the new soft cloth, forage caps; as it was thought the existing
badge looked too large for use on the forage cap.
Also issued with "CADET" or "P.W. with number", in plinth. Hallmarked "Bertram Brothers Melbourne". Numbered versions are Scarce individually, Cadet
and P.W. (Police Woman with number) are Very Rare. Matching numbered sets of both the larger "helmet
plate/cap badge" (left) and the smaller "forage cap badge" (as above) are Extremely Rare. An
Extremely Rare "0000" version also exists.
c 1955 - 1973
Note: Fictitious numbers on badges.
This is the second version of the small Officer's Cap Badge: a chrome and enamel
version. It was issued by CCP Arnold; as the "gold" version (left) was thought a little, too ostentatious. Ultimately,
it was decided these badges were too small and they were eventually replaced by the larger, current style of "officer's"
cap badge (but without the numbered plinth) (below left). Hallmarked "Stokes".
c
1964 - 1973. Very Rare.
A new larger Helmet Plate was also issued in 1973 in a "numbered"
plinth version and also a "BAND" in plinth version. The perceived advantages of wearing a "helmet" versus
a "cap" had changed dramatically in 20 years and with the introduction of the English motto cap badges in 1985,
only the Military Band would continue to wear a
pith style helmet with the "helmet plate"; using the existing old French Motto version plate
with the word "BAND" in the plinth area. Most are hallmarked
and Very Rare. Those with a numbered Plinth and French motto are Rare.
c 1973 -1985. The Mounted Unit and Motorcycle Unit had began to wear "specialised" helmets with a badge "decal"
since the late 1950's.
Note: Fictitious number on badge.
Back of the Queen Victoria cypher "Detectives" ID Fob Medallion.
Issued with an engraved badge number and not hallmarked. Probably
made by Stokes and Martin.
Note: Fictitious number on badges.
Back of King's Crown "Detectives" ID Fob Medallion.
Hallmarked "Stokes and Sons. Melb".
Issued with an engraved badge number.
Note: Fictitious number on badges.
The back of this disc/medallion was numbered and hallmarked "Stokes Melb". It is the rarer of the two "King's Crown" Detectives and/or plain clothes police ID medallions as it was
issued in far fewer numbers. Notice the spelling of the word "Harbor". (sic)
Ozbadge.com thanks Peter Hamilton.
This "Queen Victoria" type crown cap badge was actually introduced
around 1926; for use by the Victoria Police Military Band. It was originally made in nickel plate and enamel and hallmarked
"Stokes Melb". The example above is in chrome and vitreous enamel, which would date it no earlier than about 1936; it
is hallmarked "Stokes and Sons Melbourne" on the reverse. This type of badge was worn by band members up until c 1947, when the large, first King's Crown cap badge (above) was introduced with
the word "BAND" on the plinth of the badge. Very Rare.
The Victorian Mounted Police "VMP" CARTOUCHE badge in
cast white metal was attached to the pouch
of a Mounted Troopers cross belt. c 1885. Very Rare.
It was worn by the Victoria Mounted Police right up until 1946,
when the new uniform was introduced and the cross belt was removed; except for ceremonial occasions.
|
|
|
