POCKET GUN AMT "BACKUP"

 By Dennis Beyer

AMT BACKUP

380/9MM

Above is an original "Backup Gun" by AMT of California. The full name of the company was Arcadia Machine & Tools. This gun was made in Irwindale, California.

AMT developed this firearm in the late 1970's after purchasing the company from Ordnance Manufacturing Company of El Monte, Ca. The initial caliber was .380.

Over the years the gun was made in .22 LR, .380, 9 MM, .357, .40, and .45 calibers.

These guns packed a wallop. Because of that they were advertised as the "smallest, most powerful" backup or pocket gun, when sold in the .45 caliber version.

AMT eventually became Galena Industries, and that company was taken over by High Standard in the early 2000's.

The gun above is part of the small collection of firearms that I have. It weighs 18 Oz. It is 5" stainless, and despite being around 60 years of age still fires. It takes a baby 9 MM or as described on the frame a "380/9mm kurz."

TAMPA BAY POLICE COLLECTORS SHOW

SPECIAL DEPUTY SHERIFF: OCEAN COUNTY

 

This is the Eighth Installment of  Special Deputy Sheriff's in New Jersey. The County featured in this post is OCEAN COUNTY. 

This County has a lot of nice beach communities facing the Atlantic Ocean. In the summer the population increases dramatically. The "Job" could be described as a fun work, especially doing bikini patrol on white sandy beaches. The "Specials" likely had other assignments.   

Somehow I got lucky and obtained both of these badges for my display. They are on the small side and measures 1.00" by 0.75". 

There are two Panels and a Ring on the face of these badges, with recessed letters. The blue enamel fill is still in good shape (Badge on right) with the very visible words:    SPECIAL,  DEPUTY SHERIFF,  OCEAN CO,  NJ.

At the bottom of these badges are panels with the identifiers of "N.J." (left) and "M94" (right).

At Center Point is a Seal of the State of New Jersey. One Seal sits in a Blue Circle, while the second does not. I estimate these rare pieces to date back to the 1950's. 

Despite their age these badges are in excellent condition. They are under glass with their brothers in this Special Deputy Collection. It hangs on the wall in my Den where I see it every day. I am very glad to have it. 

SPECIAL DEPUTY SHERIFF: ATLANTIC COUNTY

 

This is the Seventh Installment of  Special Deputy Sheriff's in New Jersey. The County featured in this post is ATLANTIC COUNTY.

I estimate this old badge to date back to the 1950's. I have had it over thirty years. Since receiving it as a gift I have managed to obtain  others "Special Deputy" badges for my collection. 

This badge is on the small side. It measures 1.25" by 1.00". It is chrome plated with reverse blue lettering.

There is a prominent Ring that surrounds a N.J. State Seal located at the center of this badge. The Seal sits in a blue enamel circle which is an indicator of its' age - 1950's.  Around the ring are the words:  DEPUTY SHERIFF, ATLANTIC COUNTY. 

At the top and bottom of this badge are panels with the words SPECIAL and the State abbreviation N.J. They too are filled with blue enamel.

Despite its' age this badge is in excellent condition. In fact it looks brand new. I keep it,  with its' brothers, under glass in this Special Deputy Collection. It hangs on the wall in my Den where I see it every day. 

                                 

ROOKIE DIES BEFORE BEING ISSUED BADGE

 By: Dennis Beyer

This Post has been published previously on different dates. I have decided that I will  Re-Post the story on the anniversary of this tragic shooting. Here it is below in original form.

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As I look at my collection of badges a couple of sad memories entered my mind. I'll address one in this post, and the others "down the road.".

I graduated West Side H.S. in 1961. That was the year Roger Maris hit 61, and "The Mick" hit 54. I still remember those guys even though I am a Dodger fan. 

My hero in 1961 was still "The Duke of Flatbush." Los Angeles was now the new home of Duke Snider. He was near the end of his baseball career.

Yeah, High School was over in June of 1961. The Summer, for the most part, was the last time a lot of us ever saw each other. We played a lot of baseball up at Ivy Hill Park. When September came it was off to college for me. The future looked bright.

A guy who graduated in my class was a fellow name John Gutenkunst. We lived in different neighborhoods, we had different friends, and we never hung out together. He too had a bright future, and he was just beginning his career with the Newark Police Department.

Four years later I graduated college. It was 1965. I got a job as a Probation Officer in Essex County, partly because my Dad knew Chief Mulligan, but that's another story. Now, four years after graduating high school, I had lost track of just about everyone I knew from "The Burg," "West Side," and "Ivy Hill Park." That included John, who was an exceptional baseball player.

In October I heard John's name again. It was Oct. 16, 1965. He was a Rookie Officer in the Newark Police Academy. He was looking forward to graduating, enjoying the weekend, then getting his badge on Monday Morning. It never happened. 

On that October day he had the misfortune of seeing someone hit his car. He approached the guy to question him. The guy had a gun. John was shot and killed.

While I wasn't especially close to John this event is something I still remember. It haunts me.

USCG "NATIONAL STRIKE FORCE"

I have never posted a picture of a Challenge Coin before so this will be my first article, only because it is Very Special. 

This coin was given to me by my grandson. Zachary is a member of the Coast Guard "Gulf Strike Team" stationed at Mobile Bay, Alabama. He has been in the Coast Guard 7 years now. Great for him and his family. I hope He makes a  career of it.

He knows my interest over the last 55 years, plus or minus (mostly plus) is NJ Police Badges, but introduced me to Challenge Coins a couple of years ago. I only have a few and will be happy to place this one on display so I can throw a salute at it every day. 

DEFINITION OF A CHANCEMAN?

Following up from the August article on Newark "Radiators".

Over the years I received input from other collectors about the "C" on this badge. The closet one came was that this shield was used by police "Chauffer's." That is incorrect.

I determined with certainty that the Title was "CHANCEMAN" from a review of the annual report of the Newark Police Department for the year 1893. That report listed this specific title as part of the table of organization.

I subsequently learned that in order to become a regular officer new candidates had one year to make three successful arrests. Success was defined as resulting in a conviction.