Badges

[Coal Creek Griff]

A co-worker, who is a badge collector, retired recently.  Knowing my interest in western things, he gave me two badges that he had.  He states that these are “stock badges”, which were common in the old west period.  He said that many agencies didn’t want to spend the money for custom badges and purchased these badges from catalogs.  They were inexpensive and easy to obtain.  Of course that means that we don’t know where they were purchased or used, but they’re pretty interesting.  He does state that the “Sheriff” badge may be a newer reproduction, but he’s not sure.  He is certain that the “Deputy Sheriff” badge is authentic.  Either way, they’ll go into a shadow box for display.

CC Griff

[St. George]

Authentic badges will be hallmarked with a manufacturer's name, and will have sturdy pin fasteners and locks.

This is true, even of 'stock badges'.

Repros don't have these features.

Scouts Out!