Post Boys originally had the slow and dangerous task of transporting the Royal Mail. This was thought to be too open to robbery, and in 1784 the first Mail Coach ran between Bristol and London via Bath. Surviving artefacts from the era of mail coaches are now very rare. The Mail Coach Guard was heavily armed with a blunderbuss and a brace of pistols, showing how highly mail was regarded and why protection was important. The uniform worn by the guards gave them authority and prominence.

Moses James Nobbs: Last of the Mail Coach Guards

(below left) Moses Nobbs was the longest serving Mail Guard in the Post Office, having served 55 years (1836-1891) on the Mail Coaches and later on the railways on the Travelling Post Office (TPO).

Date: c.1890
Artist: H E Brown
Medium: Watercolour
Catalogue Reference: 2004-0180

GPO Mailcoach Guard's Coat

(below centre) The uniform of the Mail Coach Guard had to be distinctive. The gold braid and brass buttons gave a sense of authority to the Guard, who had an important role in protecting the mail. Surviving uniform from this period is very rare.

Date: 1882
Catalogue Reference: E8405

Flintlock Pistol

(below right) Mail Coach Guards had a blunderbuss and brace of pistols to protect the mail from highwaymen. The only Post Office employees on the mail coaches, they were also the only people on the coaches allowed to carry weapons.

Date: Pre 1804
Catalogue Reference: OB1995.326

Illustrations

Moses James Nobbs

GPO Mailcoach Guard's Coat

Flintlock Pistol