UK – Very Rare Victorian ‘READING POLICE’ Belt with Buckle

This original, very rare Victorian leather belt was worn by the British ‘Reading Borough Police’ during the late 1800’s and comes complete with its interlocking white metal buckle and attachments. The ‘Reading Borough Police’ was formed in 1836 with a strength of 34 officers and by the early 1900’s it had increased to 62 officers. In 1968 this police force amalgamated with others to form the ‘Thames Valley Constabulary’, later known as the ‘Thames Valley Police’. This belt was previously owned by the late ‘Mervyn Mitton’, author of the book ‘The Policeman’s Lot’ (a book on antique British police equipment), and although this historic belt has seen some heavy wear, it’s in good condition considering its age, with the stitching still intact. I believe this to be a very rare belt considering the number of officers (62) at the turn of the century, there can’t be too many of them around. The belt measures 102cm in length by 6cm at its widest.