Original British WWI Era Early Rose-Top Cheshire Constabulary Police Bobby Helmet – Complete Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Traditional Bobby helmet was named after the creator of the British Police Force, Sir Robert Peel, who became Prime Minister under Queen Victoria. This early version, known as a “Rose Top,” features a blacked brass top fitting, in the shape of a rose, hence the name. The front Helmet plate has a King’s Crown to top, over a starburst. There is a circle around the cypher which reads CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY.

The Helmet is in excellent original condition, being complete with its original chinstrap and sweatband. All parts and components are original in condition, and the helmet appears to be in 100% original, honest, “untouched” condition!

Completely authentic to the WWI Period In very good condition, ready to display!

History of the Cheshire Constabulary:
A constabulary was first formed in the county under the Cheshire Constabulary Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 97) which was amended by the Cheshire Constabulary Act 1852 (15 & 16 Vict. c. xxxi). The passage of the County and Borough Police Act in 1856 led to the dissolution of this force and the creation of a second constabulary. Many of the officers continued to serve in the new force and there were clauses in the Act which allowed their pension rights to continue.

The first chief constable was Captain Thomas Johnnes Smith, late of the Bedfordshire Militia. The first full Cheshire Police Committee met at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe, on 3 February 1857 and the new Cheshire Constabulary was officially formed on 20 April 1857.

The first headquarters was established at 4 Seller Street, Chester. In 1862 this office was removed to 1 Egerton Street, Chester and remained there until 1870, when it was removed to 113 Foregate Street. In 1893, the Court of Quarter Sessions approved the building of a new Headquarters which was erected at 142 Foregate Street and designed by John Douglas, at a cost not exceeding £2,000. This continued to be used, together with the adjoining buildings, until 1967, when a new purpose-built Headquarters was opened at Nuns Road, Chester. This building served the constabulary until 2004 when the Headquarters building moved to a purpose-built complex at Clemonds Hey, Winsford.In 1965, the force had an establishment of 1,359 and an actual strength of 1,329.

It was proposed by the Home Secretary on 6 February 2006, that Cheshire should merge with the Merseyside Police, to form a strategic police force, but these proposals were later abandoned.

The Museum of Policing in Cheshire preserves and researches the heritage of policing in the county.