This is definitely a find. It is a Newark PD "Lieutenant's" Badge. This one is marked number 61.
This shape is the same as the Sergeant's badge, with identical stamped wording for: Police, and Newark, NJ.
The top panel is for the rank. The lettering here is recessed with enamel fill. The number box is made the same way.
This design was phased out during the 1950's. There were not that many badges made for N.P.D.'s Lieutenants, probably less then 100, so this item is quite rare.
I know this is a keeper and will place it with some other beautiful antiques from Newark - my old home town. Of course that was a century or so ago. There are many memories from "My City" and these badges make one or two flash in front of me as I make my daily check of what has become, after 45 years, one fabulous collection.
This is both old and unique. At first glance it looks like an old Sergeant Badge issued prior to 1957. It is in fairly decent shape considering its age.
What struck me first was the Seal located at dead center. It is most definitely the City Seal of Newark, NJ. The words: "Police" and Newark, NJ" were the next areas of this badge that jumped at me. They are stamped into badge shell and look exactly like the Sergeants shield.
The next sections are rather odd. At the top, and bottom are panels with blue recessed lettering. The top reads: "Asst. Chief Identification," and the bottom panel says, "Officer." Also sitting there is the number 6.
In the day Newark had a section called "R & I." This was Records and Identification, and I believe it was staffed by police officers. This rank shield just might be something a civilian employee brought in when they were hired to do some of the work. I really don't recall that there ever was an officer tittle called Asst. Chief.
I suspect that when the current Sergeant's shield was introduced in 1957 some of the old badges became available and new titles suddenly emerged on the scene.
I thought this was certainly an unusual badge, so I put it with other items that I refer to as Newark "Uniques." It is a cool badge, and I am glad to have it looking over my shoulder, where it tells me tall tales of my City a lifetime ago.
