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Obverse Design
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Badge is based on a circle, with some decorations above and below the circle.
The top decorations are some leaves or branchs and a perched eagle with spread
wings. The eagle's head is down and facing to its right (our left).
The circle has an inner circle with a bugle facing down in the center.
The bugle represents
an old-fashioned megaphone and is a symbol of authority. Fire department
officers at one time used these megaphones to direct fire fighters during a fire.
The inner
circle has a rope or beaded edge and then there is an outer circle. The outer circle
has lettering of "FIRE" curving above and "INSPECTOR" below. There is a
diamond design to the right and the left of the inner circle. Below the outer
circle is a leaf design coming to a blunt point. In the center of this
leaf design is a small shield shape with an incuse "CZ" (worn smooth in the
example above). The inner circle of the badge has a textured background.
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Reverse Design
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Vertical pin back.
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Metal
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Probably brass, gold-filled with 10K gold.
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Size and Shape
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About 42 mm by 60 mm.
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Dates Issued
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This badge type was used from sometime before
1956 until September 30, 1979. On that date the Fire Department was transitioned
to the Canal Commission. The Fire Department remained in one form
or another and is still there protecting the locks.
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Issurer
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Panama Canal Company.
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Rarity
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Very Rare.
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Manufacturer
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Probably Russell Uniform Company of New York.
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Source
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'hp2xsg' Collection.
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Varieties
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None known.
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Function
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Fire Department Fire Inspector Supervisor badge. Fire Inspectors were higher on the pay scale
than regular fire fighters. However, when it came to a fighting a fire they were not
in the line of command. The Fire Inspector Supervisor was the officer to which the
Fire Inspectors reported.
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Population Count
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Known specimens are as follows:
- 'hp2xsg' Specimen - private collection, pictured above.
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