The real Peaky Blinders were a gang active in late 19th-century Birmingham, England. Unlike their fictional counterparts from the BBC drama, they rose to prominence in the 1890s, not the 1920s. Their name likely referred to the peaked caps they wore, though the myth of razor blades hidden in hats is unsupported by historical evidence.
Known for their sharp dress, including bell-bottomed trousers and scarves, the gang was notorious for brutal assaults and petty crimes like shop-breaking and bike theft. One 1890 attack on a young man who ordered ginger beer at a pub left him with severe injuries and required trepanning surgery.
The gang’s dominance faded with the rise of the Birmingham Boys, a rival gang, in the early 20th century. However, the Peaky Blinders left a lasting impression, inspiring stories like Steven Knight’s hit TV series. Knight’s father once described gangsters as “well-dressed men with peaked caps,” a vivid image that shaped the show.
Though not criminal masterminds like their fictionalized versions, the real Peaky Blinders remain an enduring part of Birmingham’s gritty history.
The real Peaky Blinders, Birmingham's infamous gang, rose to prominence in the 1890s. Known for sharp dress and violent acts, they inspired the BBC drama, though the fictional Shelbys differ significantly from their historical counterparts. pic.twitter.com/PSyxtpZ5JL
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) December 20, 2024