Musselburgh Town officer's baton

Description Musselburgh Town officer's baton

Collection Records of the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network (SCRAN), Edinburgh, Scotland

Catalogue Number DP 466904

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content This baton was probably retained by the Town Officer who used it in the Georgian period. The details suggest he was officer NO 30 of the 2ND DISTRICT; as there would seldom be more than one or two officers in any given district, it is possible there was a high turn-over of officers. This is a red and black painted wood rod with the remnants of a design painted in the black end. A crown, initials GiiiR and some text can be distinguished. The paintwork is chipped and stained. Town officers were the forerunners of the police in Scottish burghs. They were appointed by the Town Council to superintend public order in the streets and could be dismissed at the councillors' whim. It was not until the 19th century that there was formed a police force with a career structure and appropriate training. SCRAN 'when' data: Used around 1800.

Accession Number 2024/57

External Reference 000-000-469-944-C, 000-000-469-944-R

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/2789752

File Format (JPG) JPEG bitmap