Antique Irish Police ‘Stephen Green’ Wooden Rattle (1840/50’s)

This historic, hand-made, antique, Irish ‘Stephen Green Police’ wooden police rattle from early 1800’s, is in great condition and functions well. ‘Stephen Green’ is the name of a large, four-hundred-year-old park in the centre of Dublin. These antique wooden rattles (cog rattle) were one of the first tools the village constable or night watchman used to raise the alarm, either for assistance or to make someone aware of a fleeing suspect, and when you swung the rattle around it made a loud snaping sound. They were phased out around the 1880’s and replaced by whistles. This rattle was previously owned by the late ‘Mervyn Mitton’, author of the book ‘The Policeman’s Lot’ (a book on antique British police equipment). It is impressed on the side with the words ‘STEPHEN GREEN, N. WEST’ and ‘POLICE’ and measures 15cm x 17cm x 3,7cm and weighs 290g.