| Obverse Design | Badge is in the shape of a Maltese cross. The center is round with a rope edge. The outside of the badge has a smooth raised edge. In the center is "38" (the badge number). The top arm of the cross has a curved smooth banner with the location name of "GATUN". The left arm (as you look at the badge) has a hydrant from the early 1900's. The right arm has a hook and a ladder. The lower arm has another curved smooth bannner which reads "C.Z.V.F.D" for Canal Zone Volunteer Fire Department. The entire badge has a textured background. | ||||
| Reverse Design | Probably a pin back. To be determined. | ||||
| Metal | Unknown. Silver in color. Probably nickel plated brass. | Size and Shape | About 44mm wide by 44mm high (1 3/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches). | ||
| Dates Issued | Unknown. This series is tentatively identified as a construction era type of Canal Zone Fire Department badges. The volunteer fire departments were organized starting in December, 1905. This is probably the third type issued of the three similar varieties. | ||||
| Issurer | Probably the Isthmian Canal Commission. Gatun was the location of the dam which created the large man-made lake which forms the longest leg of the trip through the Panama Canal. Water from this lake enables the locks to operate. The lake is named Gatun Lake, after the location of the dam. | ||||
| Numbers Issued | Pieces known include #38. | ||||
| Rarity | Rare. | Manufacturer | Unknown. | Source | Plumer Collection. |
| Sales | None known. | ||||
| Varieties | There are three similar varieties. The first type has a place name at the top, "V.F.D." at the bottom and never mentions the Canal Zone. The second type is identical except that "CANAL ZONE PANAMA" has been added in small incuse letters on the field around the badge number. The third type has "C.Z.V.F.D." at the bottom to identify the Canal Zone, and does not have the small "CANAL ZONE PANAMA" legend. | ||||
| Function |
Fire Department vest badge. I would appreciate e-mail from anyone who can add anything to the history of these badges. |
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| Population Count |
Known specimens are as follows:
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From Panama: Key of Two Oceans by I.L. Maduro (1915)