Weapons
The BPMA’s
diverse collection even contains a small number of weapons. This interesting collection contains just 20
objects. It includes Flintlock Pistols and Blunderbusses from the
nineteenth century as well as ceremonial swords and modern replica firearms.
Most of the weapons were used to defend the mail from attack. These objects reflect the danger that Post Office employees had to face in delivering the mail.
Here are four examples of weapons in our collections:
Blunderbuss, 1788-1816, accession number: OB1995.344
This
Blunderbuss would have been used by mail coach guards along with a
brace of pistols to protect mail coaches from attack by highwaymen.
Mail coach guards were the only Post Office employees on mail coaches.
The guards were also the only people allowed to carry the weapons.
Selection to be a mail coach guard was very strict as a result.
We also have several flintlock pistols that would have been used with the blunderbusses on mail coaches.
In 1786, a highwayman attempted to hold up the mails and was shot dead on the spot. No further attempts at robberies were ever reportedly made on mail coaches.
Packet boat flintlock pistol, pre-1804, accession number: OB1995.326
This was used, along with other weapons, on packets boats to protect the mails against theft or
piracy.
The manufacturer, Henry Nock, was a major
supplier of guns to Weymouth and Falmouth packet stations. Nock’s son-in-law, Wilkinson took over the family
business after his death and we have other flintlock pistols made by him.
On one side of the pistol is a metal clip, which fitted over a seaman's belt as holsters were not worn at sea. The pistol also has a wooden ramrod attached for ramming explosives down the barrel.
This pistol is presently on loan to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
in Falmouth.
Duke of Teck’s sword, 1876-1900, accession number: 2005-0080
This
ceremonial sword was presented to the Duke of Teck in the late nineteenth
century to mark his service. The
Duke of Teck was Honorary Colonel of the Post Office Rifles (49th/24th
Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Corps) between 1876 and 1900.
This sword was on display for many years at
the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) at Mill Hill Barracks.
It is extremely decorative with detailed patterns on each
side. The knuckle guard has the crest of
the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Corps on it.
Replica revolver, 20th century, accession number: OB1996.678/1
This replica revolver came to us amongst other objects from the Post Office Security and Investigation Service (POSIS).
Replicas like this one were used in trial robberies of Post Offices for training purposes.
This is a copy of a Smith and Wesson revolver and has 'NO A 2472' and the Smith and Wesson logo on it.
