Antique WWI Manchester City Police Whistle Numbered Chain & 1926 Policeman Photonchester 

A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a rare and historically significant WWI Manchester City Police whistle, complete with its original uniform chain and a vintage signed photograph dated 1926. Made by J. Hudson & Co. of 244 Barr Street, Birmingham, this whistle represents one of the most iconic pieces of British police equipment from the post-World War I period.

The whistle is fully stamped with the official markings: "The Metropolitan Patent, Manchester City Police, J. Hudson & Co, 244 Barr St, Birmingham," along with the personal issue number 1895. The top cap stamped the patent number 5727-08 refers to a 1908 design improvement regarding the whistle's internal construction. Furthermore, because the company officially moved to the 244 Barr Street facility in 1909, the precise typesetting utilized on this piece—featuring a completely straight, non-curved "PATENT" stamp paired with a sharp typographical full stop directly after the "244." house number—firmly identifies this as a documented civil contract run produced during the WWI home front era (1914–1919).

The whistle retains its original top pocket chain, which would have been attached to a tunic or breast pocket. 

Coming along with the whistle is an original black-and-white signed photograph showing a young uniformed Manchester police officer wearing the standard helmet and tunic of the era. On the reverse, there is a handwritten note that reads "1926 Strike," which refers to the historic General Strike of that year, a major national and historic event.

Sets like this, with full markings, original chain, and period photographic provenance, are seldom found and highly prized by collectors of British police memorabilia, industrial heritage, and interwar-era social history. This is a well-preserved and evocative piece of Manchester's civic and policing past.