Introduction to Truncheons and Tipstaves (Page 3)



These arms were first used by George I in 1714 and were subsequently used by George II and George III. They represent the following:

1st quarter - arms of England and Scotland.
2nd quarter - arms of France
3rd quarter - arms of Ireland
4th quarter - Hanover



In 1801 the arms were changed when George III renounced his title as King of France and the French quartering was removed. England then occupied the first and fourth quarter, with Scotland in the second and Ireland in the third. The escutcheon for Hanover was placed in the centre and was surmounted by an electoral cap. This was a red cap with white ermine fur. It was changed to a crown in 1816 when Hanover became a kingdom as shown above.



In 1837 the Hanover escutcheon was removed because Queen Victoria, as a woman was unable to succeed to the throne of Hanover. The arms shown above have been used by the royal family since that time.

The presence of the royal arms can therefore potentially date a piece between the following dates:

1714 - 1801
1801 - 1816
1816 - 1837
1837 -

Like most things this evidence should be used with some caution. I have seen examples of truncheons where the royal arms and dates do not agree, or where the arms are incorrect. We need to bear in mind that these pieces were often painted by people who did not know or understand these changes. I have a truncheon dated 1802 where the royal arms are a mix of the earlier pre 1801 arms and later one. It is also possible that an artist may have used an earlier example as his template. I have a painted tipstaff with the 1801-16 arms, but dated 1824. As the paintwork appears to be by the same hand I can only assume that the date 1824 is the correct period.

It should also be mentioned that where the pre 1801 arms are used and there is no other dating evidence it should be assumed that the piece comes from the reign of George III. As I stated earlier any eighteenth century truncheons or tipstaves are scarce, but pre George III would be very rare and therefore the piece would need some other evidence to prove its date.

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