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Message:: [QUOTE="bluumz, post: 379565, member: 649"]Thank you!I've been researching the history of UK police uniforms, and have learned about the "duty band" on the sleeve. Very early duty bands had horizontal stripes, then the stripes were changed to vertical (I can't find just when the change occurred but they were vertical by the late Victorian period). Duty bands were phased out in approximately 1968. Of course, a later puppetmaker could have fashioned puppets with older-style uniforms so this info may be immaterial. As usual, I may be over-thinking all this... but the puppet definitely appears "old". Interesting how the tunic is pieced from scraps, this is very apparent in the back view. It's definitely a well-used puppet that was not meant for close inspection by the audience. I wish I could make out what's written around his neck but all I can discern is "9 1/2". But maybe that's just a joke collar number. And I definitely agree about the buttons being much later than the rest of the puppet.Curious how this piece ended up in a US thrift store, I hope it's worth at least my $12.50 investment, LOL.[/QUOTE]