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Chicago's first issue badge, a large tin star, rather
plain, circa 1880's. This badge is hallmarked S.D. Childs, an early
Chicago maker. I finally was able to find one at a decent price at the
1996 National Show in Texas. The photo you see at the top of this page is of an officer wearing
this style. The yellowing is just a forgetful Chief...I forgot to use
the 80A correction filter... this badge is actually silver. |
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A first issue Lieutenant's badge. circa 1880's. In
the early days, CPD rank officers wore badges half the size of
patrolmen. The officer photo appearing on this page is from Chicago,
wearing first issue stars twice the size of the Lt. badge
pictured here |
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The Superintendent typically has his political cronies
that he must give a badge to... This "Supt. Staff" from the
1880's is just like the first issue Lt's badge... Guaranteed to keep you
out of trouble cuz you were the "Boss's Bud". |
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A 5-point star for a special officer, probably pre-1900's,
a rare piece. Not many CPD badges can be found with filigree adorning
them. |
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This is Chicago's "coat
badge" circa 1880s. Note the "old seal", ship on
right, Indian on left. |
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This 9-point star for the Special Police, circa 1904, is a
rarity for a CPD style. Made of German silver, this large badge weighs a
ton. |
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An old flat tin star special... certainly older than the
Chief cuz it probably dates back before the turn of the Century...or...
maybe not. |
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A Chicago PD Messenger "pagoda pie
plate", so called due to it's size and the pagoda-like banners,
used early 1900 with 3 other titles: Patrol Driver, Driver &
Chauffeur |
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The famous "pie plate" used
by CPD until 1955, but this one was pre-1920's as the "old
seal" attests. Nicknamed because of its size. |
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A later Supt. Staff badge...this one
pre-1927 as evidenced by the "old seal". Supt. Staff badges
from Chicago came in many different flavors over the years. The Suburbs
had a similar "political friend" badge, usually titled
"Chief's Staff". |
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The roaring 20s saw Chicago Detective
Sergeants wearing this mid-size ball-tipped star, sometimes on there
lapels. Today, this style is commonly reproduced and is often sold
as "authentic" |
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Chicago's Police Reserve badge, circa
1940's... with the rare rank of "Corporal". This badge has the
"new seal" (current). Compare it to the "Supt.
Staff" badge above. |
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A variation of the Chicago retired
badge that was used until the early 70's when Police Artist Otis Rathel
was told by superiors to re-design it in between drawing suspects for
wanted posters. Apparently Rathel's design was just using the current
issue star with the wording "Retired" applied in copper
letters in place of the badge number. |
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This is the more common pre-1970's
retired badge, without the ball tips. This is the badge sent to Otis
Rathel, Chicago Police Artist, when he was told to design a new one.
Rathel "donated" it to my collection, worried sick if he was
doing the right thing. This was my very first Chicago badge... quite a
prize for a 14 year old boy from the burbs. |
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The pre-1955 retired badge was a pie
plate with a customized banner.... Quite a wallet full. Sorry about the
quality of the picture...sometimes even the Chief screws up... |
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This Captain's star is inverted, a
style common for the day. Circa, 1950's. |
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A more recent Lieutenant's star, this
gold beauty includes the engraved presentation on the back to Lt. Joseph
Dearing, 1965, from the Lieutenant's Association. |
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The longtime Chicago Patrolman's
badge used just before the current issue, with applied copper badge number. This style has been worn since
1955. Hallmarked "Metal Arts", one of only two company's to
have the contract for the current issue badge. |
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Chicago Detective, last used before the
current issue. The
difference is in the top panel, which is reverse enamel instead of
raised lettering |
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Chicago's Policewomen had their own
star until a 1970's lawsuit allowed them to change to the patrolman's
badge. Supposedly, a few of these can still be found being worn today. |
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Not exactly a thrilling title....but if
I woulda had 5 of these at the last Chicago show...they'd a gone. Seems
a bunch of Chicago cops from a certain district call themselves the
"Dog Catcher's" and wanted to have this badge... They begged
and begged...but the Chief didn't give in...it's still in his
collection. |
