"The Peeler Uniforms" 1829 -1864
The very first uniform worn by Constables of the
Metropolitan Police was the Peeler type. This had an eight button
swallow tail coat. The officers "appointments", i.e. his truncheon
and rattle were hidden in his coat tails.
Officers also had to wear a leather stock, this was
worn around the neck in the same manner as early infantry soldiers and
was worn to protect the constable from strangulation, these measured 4"
high as you can imagine these were extremely uncomfortable, the leather
stock was however reduced to 2" high in 1859, much to the relief of the
wearers!
Officers wore white trousers during the summer months
up until 1861, these were not issue equipment but had to be
purchased by the constable out of his own pocket.
The Top hat measured 6.25 inches tall and had a 2 inch
wide brim, the top part of the hat was leather which overlapped the
Beaver skin body by .25 of an inch. Cane was used inside the hat to
reinforce it on either side.
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1864 The beginning of the Modern uniform
In 1864 a new uniform was introduced, the
original swallow tailed coat of the Peelers was replaced with a new
eight button coat. The awful top hat ( this was because it was very
heavy and unwieldy) was replaced by a coxcomb helmet. On this, was the first Helmet plate worn by officers of the Metropolitan
Police.
ABOVE... all that remains of the original die used to
make the 1864 helmet plate
A leather belt was worn around the waist over the coat and was
secured by a "snake" clasp buckle. there were two buttons on the back of
the coat and the cuffs had inverted "V's" on them as decoration. This all
lasted until 1870 when the Helmet was replaced by a six paneled
type, similar to those worn today, but they were the more military, "home
service" type dress helmets seen in the army today, This helmet was the Prussian
type. The wreath type helmet plate was then replaced between 1870 and
1876 with the Brunswick star type and garter as seen below.
The Truncheons which had been carried in a leather
case were withdrawn from service in 1887 after truncheon pockets were
fitted in the trouser leg.
Rank Chevrons were introduced by the Metropolitan
Police for Sergeants in 1864, prior to this they were only recognizable
from constables by their divisional numbers (worn on the collar) these
numbers ranged from 1 to 16, and the fact that they wore their duty band
or armlet on the right sleeve cuff. (The duty armlet was worn right up
until the 1st of July 1968 when they were abolished by the Metropolitan
Police!)
The Blue and White vertically striped
armlet was worn by both Constables and Sergeants on their LEFT arm
to show that they were "ON DUTY".
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1864 -1973
The eight button coat which superceded
the swallow tail type, was worn with a leather snake clasped belt by
Metropolitan Police officers from 1864 right up until 1973!
Above
( The 8 button jacket with 6 panel helmet, loops on
sleeve and snake clasp buckle)
Small changes were made over the years such as
the addition of loops on the left sleeve for the duty armlet which were
added in 1895. It remain unchanged until 1934 when it was decided that
two extra buttons would look rather good on the back of the coat and the
inverted "V" so long a part of the jackets sleeves were removed, leaving
the cuffs quite plain. As of the 15th of September 1948 only one of
these coats was issued to each officer for use on ceremonial events (
when white gloves were worn). This type of jacket was finally retired
from service after 109 years! on the 8th March 1973.
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1897- 1934
In 1897 a five button, blue serge patrol jacket, which
had two breast pockets was introduced for summer wear. This was to be
worn during the day time only and between the months of May and
September. At any other time the eight button coat was to be worn. In
1906 Epaulettes were incorporated and in 1932 metal letters.. MP were
worn on the epaulettes. In between 1934 and 1937 the five button jacket
was replaced by a seven button jacket.
Above
( The letters "MP" can clearly be seen on this
sergeants epaulettes)
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1934 -1949
A seven button jacket replaced the five button version
between 1934/7. The epaulettes which carried the metal letters MP
were stitched down and the Divisional letters and numbers were worn on
the collar ( hence the expression " I want your collar
number". The breast pockets had three points, with a pleat on the
outside of the pocket. The seven button jacket was replaced in 1949
with a five button open collar type, the first worn by Constables and
Sergeants of the Metropolitan Police and was worn all year round.
Above
(The 5 Button jacket, clearly showing the external
pleats on the pockets)
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1949-1960
The five button open neck jacket was in full use by
1951/2. t6his jacket was worn with a blue shirt, these had detachable
collars. Black ties were worn. The original serge jacket was also made
up from a more lightweight material for summer wear. These jackets were
worn up until 1959/60. When this jacket was introduced the metal letters
"MP" were removed from the epaulettes. These were replaced with
divisional letters and numbers and were worn on the epaulettes instead
of the collar.
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1959/80
A new jacket was introduced in 1959, this had four
front pockets, two large ones at the waist and two smaller ones on the
chest. each of the breast pockets had an external pleat down the centre
and all four pockets had three point flaps. This jacket had four buttons
down the front and a cloth belt with a white metal or chrome
buckle with two prongs. The blue shirts were replaced in 1976 with white
shirts .
1980 also saw the introduction of the enamel blue ring
helmet plates along with the reinforced public order helmets as the old
cork helmets were no longer up to the job of protecting the officers
head. Prior to this the helmet plates had been a plain chrome badge
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Women Police
1919-1926
The first uniforms worn by Female constables of the
Metropolitan Police ( these were known as " The Woman Patrols" up
to 1923) was the "Stanley Uniform."
The jacket was a single breasted type with six
white metal buttons down the front with the Tudor crown on them. It had
a three stand and fall collar with a hook and eye fastener. There
were two waist pockets, each with button down flaps. On the back of the
jacket were two buttons evenly spaced with a vent down the centre, along
with two metal hooks to support the leather belt which was also worn by
male officers.
This was worn with a mid calf length fluted skirt,
which had two slanted pockets. The women also wore black woolen
stockings with calf length boots with a one inch heel. The helmet was
made of cork and hard felt with six shallow paneled crown ( rather like
a tropical sun hat). A one inch leather band went round the base. The
helmet plate was a smaller version of the male officers helmet plate.
Black woolen gloves were also issued as was the duty armlet. The letters
"MP" and individual numbers were worn on the collar of the jacket.
This uniform was not popular with the women who
regarded it as uncomfortable and cumbersome, the material used was very
coarse. Even the fact that the famous London shop Harrods was chosen to
fit and make the uniform failed to impress. The uniform was known as the
"Stanley Uniform" after Sophia Stanley the first Superintendent of
Women Police. the first change to this uniform was made in 1926.
1926-1931
