Shanghai Municipal Police

Just a nice postcard

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Hi Sean,
I have this one as a black and white postcard/photo so it is quite good to see a colourised version.
It always fascinates me that Indian Troops in general are always nicely turned out but seem to fall down on uniformity when it comes to the wrapping of the turban. look at the variations here.
Also noted a couple of guys thought it would be a good idea to hook up the sword instead of leave it hanging like everyone else.

This could be the start of an interesting thread as there are lots of photos around showing the Shanghai Municipal Police various contingents. MConrad posted a very nice clear one of a Chinese Constable in Winter dress on the thread for Annamite Tirailluers. I'll dig out few to add here.

Regards,
Les

The Shanghai Municipal Police was an unusual force even for the period of great empires. Established in 1854, by 1919 it numbered 146 Europeans (mostly British), 30 Japanese, 370 Sikhs and 1,400 Chinese constables and NCOs. Later White Russians were recruited. Divided into ethnic units they were not a colonial police force but rather a sort of foreign legion in the service of the International Settlement. Their uniforms were basically British in style (dark blue in winter, khaki drill in summer, medium blue for Chinese police) but with colourful additions such as red turbans for the Sikhs and a type of conical hat for the Chinese members of the force, at least until about 1919s. After the Japanese occupied Shanghai in December 1941 SMP continued in existance but the European element (who had made up most of the commissioned officers and sergeants) were interned or dismissed.