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The Police Clerk



Behind the badge


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Some lessons in pins and catches.  AKA "Findings" and "Attachments"

Click on the thumbnail
A common catch in the 1800s and into the early 1900s was the "C catch", seen here.  It was simple, a heavy gauge wire formed into a C shape and the pin was held in by its own tension.

A good example of an 1800s pin anchor, much cruder than today's machined pin and anchor.  This one is on the badge that contains the C catch above.

This is what is known as a "wire pin and catch", made of one single piece of medal, formed around in one piece to make both the pin and catch.  This badge is from the 1800's and typifies the style of attachment you'd find on a badge this age.

This is a heavier version of the wire pin and catch and it uses a "saddle" to attach to the badge.  Commonly referred to as a "saddle pin", these were often found on larger badges such as the pie plates, though the  smaller wire pin and catch  can also be found with a saddle as well.

Another variation of a saddle is this round version.  You will also find rectangular in addition the oblong one above.

This thin strip of metal was used by a Boston maker just to give the wire pin a little better support.  It would also be considered a saddle.

A rare saddle on this junior police badge (see front in the Generics section) uses no solder.  Instead, small tabs actually formed in the badge blank are folded to hold it in place. 

Another catch from the 1800s and early 1900s was the "tongue catch".  While it is similar to the "C catch", its flat band-like qualities appear more like a tongue.  Often it has a rounded end, much like the shape of a tongue though this one is flat.

Here's a view of the more common tongue-like shape of a  tongue catch

The "tunnel catch" is similar to the tongue catch but a wider band forms a tunnel which seats the pin.  Again, heavily used in the 1800s and early 1900s, depending on manufacturer. This can also be referred to as a "tube catch"

This catch is known by two names.  Either a "sideswing catch" or a "fork catch" because of the three "tines" it forms when fully open.  It is a catch typically found on early to mid- 1900s badges. 

This is known as a "small Burgess" catch.  It was patented in the 1910s and became very common thorugh the 1950s and into the 60s.  The term "small" refers to the footprint where it attaches to the badge.  It can easily be identified by the "Mickey Mouse" ears on the swivel portion.

By the 1960s, the "large Burgess" came into use, replacing the small Burgess with a larger footprint to give a bigger area for soldering.  The swivel features the same "Mickey Mouse" ears as the small Burgess.  This style catch is still in use today and is most predominant in the manufacture of badges.  It is important to know and recognize this catch because you will find it on many reproduction badges.  Many times collectors will be offered and "authentic 125 year-old  badge" with this catch, which wasn't even produced until circa 1960s.

This is a variation of the Burgess catch but because of the round sides, it is commonly known as the "ball catch".  This one is a top loading ball catch and the manufacturer used a round disk to mount it and the pin anchor to the badge.  Another view.

Another ball catch but this one is side loading and attached directly to the badge.  Another variation (not shown) is a football-shaped catch known as a "bullet catch"

The "Bar Pin" is named so because of the flat bar that is used as a base to attach the pin and catch as a single piece.  The catch is usually a variation of a Burgess.  This finding is typically "cheap" for manufacturers and found on less expensive badges.  Generally believed to be used from the 1950s on, they are also found on older badges as a replacement pin once the original was broken.  This one was a replacement as is evidenced by the lack of nickel plating on it.

This 1949 badge has had its saddle pin replaced with a bar pin as is evidenced by the remains of the solder that once held the saddle. This came direct from the department in this repaired condition.

"Lug Backs" are commonly found in the NYC area.  A large pin secures the badge to the uniform

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