UBB.threads Forums General Interest Other Hobbies and Collections, like sports cars, movies, music,etc Other things I collect, Antique Police Badges

Among many other things I collect, mainly WW2 items and Antique Police badges just about anything else thats old and cool I like it, from old slot machines to old tin toys. Here are some of my Police Badges, all of the pistols belonged to Policemen and have provenance and archive letters from Colt and S&W. The Colt Frontier Scout 22 caliber is from the 50's, it did not belong to an officer just thought it was a neat pistol, found it at an Antique Show. I also have the badges that were worn by the Policemen whose guns I have. The 32 Colt Police Positive Revolver belonged to Cicero Illinois Policeman, his badge is next to it. I have documentation from the son that I got it from and also archived letter from Colt. He was a Policeman there during the Al Capone era, perhaps he even arrested some of the Capone gang or perhaps on their payroll.

More pics

Of course you need a man cave to display all your treasures. 😉

Awesome collection man thanks for sharing it!!

Thanks Mike! Sorry if the pics are bad, the quality goes down when resized to post.

Dam man!! some nice stuff you got there..
Some of those badges are mini works of art! Matched badge to gun?! thats really something.. everything really looks in good well cared for condition.

I don't know anything about them. I guess when police retire they keep their badge.. What makes them worth? age?, material?, - condition is always in there! Come on there Chris,,you got to tell us a bit about them... are they legal to own? value examples.?.....


You got one case there with the knucks ,,you could post a lot of whats in it in a topic a few down 'Tools of the Trade'...

Thanks Gaspare! Usually Big City Badges are the most desired especially late 1800's to early 1900's especially if they are made of precious metals. Early presentation badges made of gold can have diamonds and or other precious stones such as rubys and they will command a higher price. I guess kinda like anything SS will be more valuable than most WW2 German stuff. Also if you have provenance that always adds to the value, got a good clear pic of the guy wearing it and that helps as well. As with anything condition, condition, condition dictates price as well. I have seen some rare badges sell for as much as 20,000, the more rare the more its worth. As far as legal to own yes they are as long as they are obsolete and not a current badge used by any department. Owning or selling some current badges like a current LAPD or a current Federal badge can get you into trouble and a knock on your door if they know you have it. That why I have only collected very early ones that are obsolete. I got an obsolete badge from my hometown police department right from the Captain, brought it right to my house, he knkos I am a collector and have LE in my family so it was no big deal.

The brass knuckles, spurs, iron claw and old handcuffs plus the Deputy Marshal badge from Compton California all belonged to a deputy Marshal there in the late 1800's to early 1900's, around 1910 Compton was consolidated with Los Angeles and the LAPD took over jurisdiction.
Will post more pics when I get time. Thanks for the compliments!