Badge Collection Military Government Police Fire

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Here are a couple of more Cleveland badges:

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

And, one more Cleveland badge:

[Cobra 6 Actual]

It’s always good to have badge “wear dates” since such documentation really “nails down” what can sometimes be confusing:

 

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Another bullion pocket badge:

 

 

I believe the correct name is “Defense Investigative Service”.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

This is an obsolete style badge with the Department of Justice seal as Immigration went into DHS in 2003:

 

 

The title, Special Operations Inspector, is pretty rare.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

The Indianapolis Police Department merged with elements of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 2007 and became the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Here are two badges that are obsolete now:

 

This badge is from just before the merger:

  

 

This badge is from the 1950’s:

 

`

And according to the Department’s website this is the new badge (which I do not have, obviously):

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Sterling Silver

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Another Sterling Silver one:

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

[Cobra 6 Actual]

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Apparently silver-plated with most of it worn off:

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

[jmd62]

11 hours ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

Great looking badge Cobra 6!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks, jmd62! Have a Merry Christmas. Here’s one more badge:

 

[BEAT_NAVY]

Just picked this one up.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Nice cap badge, BEAT_NAVY! Here’s a police breast badge:

 

 

For years I thought the “Y” in the central design indicated that the badge was worn by someone working for the YMCA, AKA: the Y. Later I learned that instead the “Y” indicated the branching of the Chicago River at Wolf Point.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Similar to Post # 294, this is a movie-related fantasy badge, this time for you Harry Potter fans:

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

This is a 1930’s to 1940’s badge:

 

 

It has some wear as even some of the letters are losing definition (in the bottom panel the word ‘Honorary” has the second “A” worn, as does the word “Member” have the first “E” worn). Cool art deco design though.

[sharky]

I picked this badge up a few years ago, and have yet to positively identify it.  I believe it is a Crash-Rescue Squad badge from one of the military airfields in Wisconsin.  The badge is marked RESCAP, which I believe stands for "Rescue Combat Air Patrol".  The badge has one of the older side-swing catches on the back, which dates it from about the 1950's and older.  The center seal is a Wisconsin state seal, and the badge is named.

I spotted a similar badge over at Flying Tiger Antiques:  https://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/korean-war-era-usmc-crash-crew-badge.html

The one they have is a USMC badge, but it is the same format and style.

 

I'm hoping someone recognizes it!  Guesses, opinions, speculation.........it's all appreciated!

 

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Cool badge, sharky. Unfortunately, I’m coming up with nothing new. On a different subject earlier I posted that some jurisdictions settle on a badge style and use it across agencies. Here are some examples from Philadelphia:

 

 

[ekclete]

Thanks to all for sharing; this thread was an education!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks, ekclete! And thanks to all who have posted on here. One interesting thing to look for in badges is the changes in job titles that occur. For example, the titles of “Policeman”, “Policewoman”, or “Matron” were all generally changed in the 70’s or 80’s to just “Police Officer”. Similarly “Dog Catcher” and “Dog Warden” have generally been changed to “Animal Control Officer” or something similar. Naturally, that makes those obsolete titles collectible. So, although this badge is a nothing-special stock design, the title increases its collectibility:

 

[sharky]

I have a soft spot for the old fire badges that list "Fireman" on the top banner.  I guess that dates the era of my old fire service days 😉  I also look for the older volunteer department and fire company badges from the little "back water" towns.  Most collectors go for the "Famous", big city department badges.  Unfortunately those are the highest priced (often absurdly high priced!), and are often the most faked and copied.  Find a low priced, unique, and beautiful badge, from a little town, and then enjoy the research and watch history unfold 😃

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Great points, Sharky. I like those older fire and police badges, too, with the “Fireman” and “Policeman” titles. I also like ones with uncommon ranks or name panels, weird designs, etc., like this:

 

 

[ekclete]

Crazy the sheer number of organizations that use/used badges and the huge number of variations that exist within those orgs.  Thanks for sharing!