NEWARK POLICE CHANCEMAN RADIATOR

I have been trying to get the Real McCoy from the Newark Police Department just a little over forty years. During that time I have obtained a couple of nice items from this fine Jersey community that sits a few miles from New York.

My dad got me started with this collecting thing, only neither of us knew how serious my interest would become. Although I got a couple of badges from him they were just seeds to grow my interest.

I have had the badge at the top for twenty or so years. It has raised letters on it that read "POLICE. On the bottom is the number 1640. That is stamped into the lower panel. I have seen this badge with a more impressive brass panel that has the numbers looking much better.

The only way to really identify this badge (#1640) as a Newark, NJ item is at its' center point. The Seal is that if the City of Newark. It looks almost identical to the NJ State Seal, however the City Seal distinctively has the hand holding a hammer or axe. The State Seal has a Horses Head; Thank God it wasn't the other end.

In the next twenty plus year I did get other items from Newark, but nothing that I really coveted. Then last year I got a reproduction set of all five editions Newark Badges. I usually don't want replica items, but this was different. It was Newark. It was beautiful. It told me where I needed my attention on a daily basis.

This nice set is pictured above lies on a mat covered with black velvet. The badges standout very nicely and have been put on display in this writers Den.

Luck arrived this year and a short time ago the last gem was obtained. It is a Newark Radiator and difficult to find. It only took a lifetime.

This particular "Radiator" is clearly marked with raised letters: "NEWARK POLICE." At the top of the shield is the number C-93. The "C" stands for Chanceman. That was an old title used by officers who were pending final appointment as regular patrolman.

The title CHANCEMAN was used a few of the major City's and I have learned in a few of the suburban areas. The pictured badge is in excellent shape as the picture reveals, although the pin is missing. I'll still keep it.

These items are now properly placed in glass covered displays. They are prominently placed on the wall so I can view them daily and let them get my memories flowing back at least over the last half century. That is a great thing and something that makes retirement good.