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Obverse Design
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Top has perched eagle, wings spread, head ducked down and facing right. This eagle
has the wings swept down below the feet, and is identical or almost identical
to the BG10-1 (second badge type) eagle. The center of the shield has the
first seal of the Canal Zone with a Spanish Galleon sailing through a sea level
canal. There is a smooth circle around the seal with lettering. All lettering
is incuse. The lettering
says "CANAL ZONE" curving above the seal and "POLICE" curving below. On the same
circle there is one five pointed star to the right and one to the left of the seal.
Above the shield is a smooth horizontal bar with
the officer's rank of "POLICEMAN".
Below the shield is a smooth square with the badge number of "236". The shield
overall
has a textured background. All edges of the shield except the top have a leaf
design as the edge.
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Reverse Design
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Probably a pin back. To be determined.
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Metal
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Unknown metal. Silver color. Probably nickel plated brass.
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Size and Shape
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About 45mm wide by 65mm high (1 3/4 inches by 2 1/2 inches).
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Dates Issued
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This variety of badge appears to have come into use in the late 1930's and been
discontinued by 1941. A photo from 1935 shows an officer wearing an older style
of badge. Another officer was issued the new diamond number style badge in 1941.
In between those dates may be when this badge was used. However, similar style
badges with the square numbers continued to be used for higher ranks within the
Canal ZOne Police.
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Issurer
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The Panama Canal Company.
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Numbers Issued
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Pieces include #236.
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Rarity
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Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Unknown.
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Source
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Levy Collection.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Function
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Police vest badge.
I would appreciate
from anyone who can add anything to the history of these badges.
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