S/5976 Antique Treen 19th Century Beech Bird Scarer or Police Rattle

A good example of a Victorian beech bird scarer or police rattle having a turned handle. When the metropolitan police were formed in 1829, they were issued with rattles that fitted into specially made pockets in the swallow tails of their coats. In 1884 whistles were introduced and by 1887 all rattles had been withdrawn, as they found that whistles could be heard twice the distance of a rattle. They were often used in football matches. This is an excellent example and has a lovely rich colour and excellent patination.

8¾ in. (22 cm.) Wide
10½ in. (26.5 cm.) Deep
1½ in. (4 cm.) High
English Circa 1860