C1920’s Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) Heavy Blue Serge Wool Police Special Constable’s & Sergeants Cape With Brass Lion’s Head Bosses Brass Link Neck Chain & ‘USC’ Combined Monogram Horn Buttons Buy Jas Grove & Sons Halesowen. POL 358 Antiques & Militaria

C1920’s Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) Heavy Blue Serge Wool Police Special Constable’s & Sergeants Cape With Brass Lion’s Head Bosses Brass Link Neck Chain & ‘USC’ Combined Monogram Horn Buttons Buy Jas Grove & Sons Halesowen. POL 358 - POL 358

The Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) was a reserve special constable police force in what would later become Northern Ireland. It was set up in October 1920, shortly before the partition of Ireland. The Ulster Special Constabulary were individuals sworn in as temporary RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) constables from 1920 at the instigation of leading unionists with sanction from the British cabinet. It was an armed corps, organised partially on military lines and called out in times of emergency, such as war or insurgency. It performed this role most notably in the early 1920s during the Irish War of Independence and the 1956-1962 IRA Border Campaign. During its existence, 95 USC members were killed in the line of duty. Most of these (72) were killed in conflict with the IRA in 1921 and 1922. Another 8 died during the Second World War, in air raids or IRA attacks. Of the remainder, most died in accidents but two former officers were killed during the Troubles in the 1980s. Unionists generally supported the USC as contributing to the defence of Northern Ireland from subversion and outside aggression. The Special Constabulary was disbanded in May 1970, after the Hunt Report, which advised re-shaping Northern Ireland's security forces and demilitarizing the police. Its functions and membership were largely taken over by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (a copy of a period image of USC Special Constables pistol training with Webley MK VI .455 calibre revolvers is illustrated In image 1). This is an original USC Special Constable’s & Sergeant’s Constable’s cape. Made of heavy blue serge wool the cape is clean & has no damage or mothing. The collars has the correct hook fasteners. It has all of its USC monogram horn buttons, the rear of the buttons have the maker’s name ‘Jas Grove & Sons Halesowen (Dudley, West Midlands, England)’. It has a brass link neck chain & brass Lion’s head bosses. There are no maker or date marks on the material. The cape 32 ½” length from top of the collar to the bottom of the cape and is approx. 38” Chest size. The price includes UK delivery. POL 358

£475.00