MPD Tradfitional Badge

The Inaugural badge tradition started in 1937 with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Washington D. C. Metropolitan Police authorities and the commissioners issued

Inaugural Badges to selected individuals for identification purposes and access to the inaugural events. Each badge was silver in appearance and numbered on the face of the badge.

They were then, and are now made of metal and were of a custom die design, an eagle-topped shield with the U.S. Capitol shown and the words Metropolitan Police and the initials D. C. on each side.

Each badge has the name of the President-elect and Vice President on it as well as the year of the Inauguration. Very few badges were ever made, especially in the early days of their use.

They were much sought after, and to be given one was a great privilege. They were also worn by Officials assigned to the Inaugural events. The tradition, thus born continued in 1941.

There were no formal Inaugural Ceremonies in 1945, World War II was stilled being waged, so there was no badge made for the Inauguration.

Authorities however allowed a commemorative Sterling Silver badge to be done years later.

In 1995 there was a commemorative badge made to fill the missing year in the set. It was a solid back badge made by Blackinton, was sterling silver in content, and only 100 badges were made. On the reverse facing was the inscription “50th Anniversary” “1945-1995”. Hallmarked VHF Blackinton.

In 1949 the tradition continued again with badges brass and silver in color and was a numbered badge as done in the earlier inaugurations. In 1953, there were two badges made for the inauguration, one silver badge and one brass badge and each was numbered on the face. The silver badge was worn by the Washington D.C. Police Department representatives

and the brass one was worn by the Inaugural Officials. In 1957, the process was repeated of issuing two badges for the Inaugural event.

The 1957 Eisenhower traditional badges was the last traditional badge to have a number placed on the front of it.

In 1961, there were 2 minor significant changes made for the Inaugural badge. The Officials went back to one brass badge and the numbering stopped on the facing,

this practice has continued to the present date.

Beginning in 1981, two badges were issued for each Inauguration; a “Traditional” design which was issued by the Chief of Police of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police.

This badge follows the same design as the original one issued in 1937, and has the President and Vice President names and year of the Inauguration.

And the 2nd badge known as the “Street Badge Traditional” which was issued to uniform law enforcement officers working and assisting with the Inauguration.

The “Street” badges designs differ from year to year, they featured high quality, intricate and colorful designs with the year of the Inauguration.

In 1981, the Officials again made additional minor significant changes for the Inaugural Badge. They continued to use the same custom die, only with a solid back badge that contained a Hallmark on the reverse side for the Chiefs Traditional Badge. The Street Traditional Badge was a solid back badge with a Hallmark and a control number on the reserve side.

Previously, all the badges between 1937 and 1977 were shell back badges without a Hallmark.

In 1993, there were 2 different styles of the official “Traditional” badge and also 2 different styles of the official “Street” badge. This was due to Blackinton and Bastian Mfg. firms both producing badges for the inauguration of 1993. This was the only year that this occurred.

In the past there have been 4 manufacturers associated with these badges: Lamb, Seal & Stencil, Blackington, Bastian, and Collinson.

With the exception of 4 Inaugurations Blackinton has been producing these quality badge for over 60 years. The Blackinton tradition stopped in 2009.

These badges are much sought after not only by collectors of police insignia, but also collectors of Presidential memorabilia and those who collect Inaugural items of every description.

There were no trade marks or hallmarks of any kind on any of the traditional badges from 1937 up to and including the 1977 traditional badge. The 1957 Eisenhower traditional badges was the last traditional badge to have a number placed on the front of it. From 1937 up to 1977 traditional badges were made with a shell back design and contained a control number on the facing in the top right oval.

Exception to this rule was that a 1957 badge was later reproduced in 1993. It was a solid back badge, silver in color and had no number stamped on the facing. On the reverse facing there was a control number issued, and had the inscription “ REPRO"” “1992” with hallmark stamped Blackinton. It's unknown as to how many were produced, badge was verified by Blackinton as one they made for MPDC. Blackinton has no history or information on this badge - no records kept.

From 1981 to the present traditional badges have been solid backed. From 1981 to the present there is a hallmark for each year badge that was produced for the series. From 1981 to year 2005 there were no control numbers on any badges. From year 2009 to the present there is a control number on each reverse facing of a badge.

The 1993 traditional had two different badges styles issued by 2 different manufacturers. The manufacturers were Blackinton and Bastian.

In 2005 there were two traditional badges made. There was the standard bronze badge and there were also 100 Sterling Silver badges. These badges were distributed by the Chief of Police to members of the police dept., various associates and friends.

In 2009 Blackinton lost the contract for the traditional badge and it was awarded to Collinson. Two badges were made of Bronze and Silver Plated. The Collision hallmark is on both Traditional badges. Additional Inscription "Chief of Police” “Cathy L Lanier” as well as a control number. The bronze badge has a sequential control numberer this series. The Silver plated badges are all marked “1”.

Exception to this year is that when Blackinton lost the contract they still produced a traditional badge as well. The badge was made in the same die used over the years. It was made

in a Similar Bronze color and contained both names of the elected on the facing. On the reverse facing it was left plain, no hallmark and no control number. These badges were

given out as a thank you to Apparel Stores selling and promoting Blackinton Badges in Metro D C and other high volumes stores within the U.S. It is unknown as to number made.

In 2013 Chief Lanier ordered 2 Traditional badges made in Bronze Copper and Silver plated. Each badge contains a Hallmark and control number. Also the inscription "Chief of Police Cathy L Lanier”. Very LOW numbers produced due to budget restrains. Each badge series has a sequential control number on the reverse facing.

In 2017 Chief Peter J Newsham ordered 3 traditional badges made by Collinsion. They were made in Brushed Copper, Brushed Silver and Polished Brass. Each badge contains a hallmark of Collinsion and control number. Control numbers are sequential for each series of badges produced. Also the inscription “Chief of Police Peter J Newsham”.

Manufacturers, Descriptions & Color Coding:

Lamb S & S : Rhodium Silver (1937 & 1941) includes commemorative badge

Blackingon : Rhodium (1945-2005)

Gold Plated

Rose Gold

Bronze

Sterling Silver

Bastian : Rose Gold (1993)

Collinson : Bronze (2009-Present)

Copper

Brushed Copper

Brushed Silver

Polished Brass

The above history on the M.P.D.C. Traditional was provided to me by Jim Blickensdorf Jr. For me and many others Jim has been the go to guy for any questions about The Traditional Badge.

Although some years has multipal finishes of the badge, this site is only going to show one for simplicity reasons.

Read below to find out just what a TRADITIONAL BADGE is.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: 1933-1945

Harry S. Truman: 1945-1953

Dwight David Eisenhower: 1953-1961

John Fitzgerald Kennedy: 1961-1963

Lyndon Baines Johnson: 1963-1969

Richard Milhous Nixon: 1969-1974

Gerald Rudolph Ford: 1974-1977

James Earl Carter, Jr.: 1977-1981

Ronald Wilson Reagan: 1981-1989

George Herbert Walker Bush: 1989-1993

William Jefferson Clinton: 1993-2001

George Walker Bush: 2001-2009

Barack Hussein Obama: 2009-2017

Donald John Trump: 2017 -

U.S. Presidents 1937 - Present

Robert J. Contee: January 2nd, 2021

Peter Newsham: Sept. 2016

Cathy L. Lanier: Jan. 2007 - Sept. 2016

Charles H. Ramsey: April 1998 - Dec. 2006

Sonya Proctor (Interim): Nov. 1997 - April 1998

Larry Soulsby: July 1995 - Nov. 1997

Fred Thomas: Dec. 1992 - July 1995

Issac Fulwood: July 1989 - Sept. 1992

Maurice T. Turner, Jr.: July 1981 - July 1989

Burtell M. Jefferson: Jan. 1978 - June 1981

Maurice J. Cullinane: Dec. 1974 - Jan. 1978

Jerry V. Wilson: Aug. 1969 - Sept. 1974

John B. Layton: Dec. 1964 - July 1969

Robert V. Murray: Dec. 1951 - Dec. 1964

Robert J. Barrett: July 1947 - Nov. 1951

Harvey G. Callahan: Feb. 1946 - June 1947

Edward J. Kelly: Nov. 1941 - Feb. 1946

Ernest W. Brown: Oct. 1932 - Nov. 1941

MPDC Police Chiefs 1937 - Present

AS PROVIDED BY JONATHAN SHELL, MEMBER OF THE MPDC POLICE FORCE

Traditional Badge Information

I had two people send me questions about the Chief’s Traditional badges so I thought I would share this check list with the group. These are just my observations so feel free to ask questions or disagree with any information provided.

*1937 / Franklin D. Roosevelt / John N. Garner:

This is the first Chief’s Traditional Inaugural which was used for FDR’s second inauguration. The design was heavily influenced by the 1935 Shriner convention in Washington, D.C.

*1941 / Franklin D. Roosevelt / Henry A. Wallace:

There is a casting of the 1941 badge, which is solid and carries a Tiffany Co. and Sterling Silver mark on the back of the badge. That badge is a casting reproduction. Tiffany has never produced an inauguration badge.

*1945/1995 / Franklin D. Roosevelt / Harry S. Truman:

Because of the war effort and this being FDR’s 4th Inauguration, there was not an Inauguration parade, and a 1945 badge was not produced. To commemorate the 1945 inauguration, in 1995, 50 years later, 100 sterling silver badges were produced by Blackinton for the department.

*1949 - Lamb Stamp and Seal Company [Harry S. Truman / Alben W. Barkley:

1949 was the last year in which the Lamb Stamp and Seal Company held the contract for producing inauguration badges. The order was for 600 and the badges are numbered in an oval in the upper right-hand corner of the badge. A Lamb badge will have a "C" or tongue style catch on the rear of the badge.

1949 – Blackinton / Harry S. Truman / Alben W. Barkley:

Years later a second run of the 1949 badges was done. I have been told that people saw the paperwork and this second production was authorized by the department. The Blackinton badges will be numbered higher than 600 and have a traditional Burgess safety catch on the rear of the badge.

*1953 – Gold / Dwight D. Eisenhower / Richard M. Nixon:

This was the first year in which Blackinton held the contract and the first year in which multiple-colored badges were given out.

1953 – Silver / Dwight D. Eisenhower / Richard M. Nixon:

Years later a second run of these were also authorized by the department. Unlike the 1949’s, the catch is the same on the badges. This is just a guess, but badges numbered in the 700’s to the 900’s, I would guess to be the ones produced years later.

*1957 – Gold / Dwight D. Eisenhower / Richard M. Nixon:

1957 – Silver / Dwight D. Eisenhower / Richard M. Nixon:

*1961 / John F. Kennedy / Lyndon B. Johnson:

1961 was a change in that the number ovals on the front of the badge were removed and only one color, gold was produced. This color and style would become the standard for the traditional inaugural.

1965 / Lyndon B. Johnson / Herbert H. Humphrey:

1969 / Richard M. Nixon / Spiro T. Agnew:

The 1969 seems to be one in which ‘fantasy’ or counterfeit badges are produced. The official, Blackinton made, departmental authorized badge, follows the same basic design as the 1961 Kennedy inaugural. The “fantasy” or counterfeit badges go back to the original design using the numbered oval windows in the left- and right-hand corners of the badge and those badges are often numbered. These reproduction badges often have a solid backing, while the originals do not.

1973 / Richard M. Nixon / Spiro T. Agnew:

1977 / Jimmy E. Carter / Walter F. Mondale:

1981 / Ronald W. Reagan / George Bush:

Although the style remained the same, this was the first year in which the Traditional was produced with a solid back and is hallmarked Blackinton.

1985 / Ronald W. Reagan / George Bush

1989 / George Bush / J. Danforth Quayle III

This was the first year in which the Traditional Inaugural went to a bronze color instead of the gold or silver colored from the past.

*1993 – Blackinton / William J. Clinton / Albert A. Gore Jr.

1993 Bastian Brothers / William J. Clinton / Albert Gore Jr.:

The 1993 Blackinton Traditional Inaugural badge was authorized by Chief Issac Fulwood however he retired in 1992 before the Clinton/Gore inauguration. Chief Fred Thomas was sworn in as Chief in December of 1992 and went about producing not only his own Traditional Inauguration but a street badge as well. This time, going with Bastian Brothers to produce the badge. The Bastian Brothers Traditional badge is the first time in which the eagle atop the badge has his head down instead of up. Another difference is that on the Bastian Brothers badge the middle initial of Albert Gore’s name was removed.

1997 - William J. Clinton / Albert A. Gore Jr.

2001 - George W. Bush / Richard B. Cheney

2005 - George W. Bush / Richard B. Cheney

2005 - Sterling Silver / George W. Bush / Richard B. Cheney

125 Sterling Silver Traditional Inaugurals were produced. They are hallmarked with the V.H.B. initials instead of the traditional Blackinton script. They are also marked Sterling.

*2009 – Gold / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

This is the first year in which Collinson produced the Traditional Inaugural badge. The back of the badge has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner of the rear of the badge.

2009 – Sterling Silver / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered 1 in the lower left-hand corner of the rear of the badge. All the silver badges are numbered “1”.

2009 – Copper / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is black in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner of the rear of the badge.

2009 – Bronze / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is bronze in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the right side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner of the rear of the badge. The placing of the Collinson eagle is a good way to tell the difference between the bronze and gold 2009 traditional.

2009 – Blackinton / Barack Obama / Joe Biden:

After Blackinton lost the contract for producing the Traditional and Street badge, which they probably did not intend to happen, they produced a small number of Traditional Inaugurals which they provided to Blackinton dealers. The Vice-President’s name on the Blackinton badge is shortened from Joseph Biden to Joe Biden. The 2009 Blackinton traditional has a solid bronze back with a Blackinton script hallmark in the upper right-hand corner. These badges were not authorized by the department but are listed here for informational purposes.

*2013 – Gold / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The 2013 gold Traditional went from the dull brushed gold look back to a shiny gold color. The back of the badge has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin. The 2009 gold Traditional is not numbered.

2013 – Sterling Silver / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is silver in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the Sterling hallmark is on the right side of the pin. The badges are numbered 1 in the lower left-hand corner of the rear of the badge. All the Sterling silver badges are numbered “1”.

*2013 – Shiny Silver / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is silver in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner.

2013 – Copper / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is copper in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner.

2013 – Bronze / Barack Obama / Joseph Biden:

The back of the badge is bronze in color and has Chief Cathy L. Lanier name in raised letters. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered in the lower left-hand corner.

*2017 – Gold / Donald J. Trump / Mike R. Pence:

The back of the badge is gold in color and has written in raised letters, CHIEF OF POLICE PETER J. NEWSHAM. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered.

2017 – Silver / Donald J. Trump / Mike R. Pence:

The back of the badge is silver in color and has written in raised letters, CHIEF OF POLICE PETER J. NEWSHAM. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered.

2017 – Bronze / Donald J. Trump / Mike R. Pence:

The back of the badge is bronze in color and has written in raised letters, CHIEF OF POLICE PETER J. NEWSHAM. The Collinson eagle hallmark is on the left side of the pin and the badges are numbered. These badges were given out to the Lieutenants who worked the Inauguration parade detail.

*2021 – Gold / Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris:

The back of the badge is shiny gold in color and has written in raised letters, CHIEF OF POLICE ROBERT J. CONTEE III. The Collinson eagle hallmark is in the middle of the badge. The badges are numbered 1 in the lower left-hand corner. All the 2021 gold badges are numbered “1”.

2021 – Silver / Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris:

The back of the badge is a dull grayish-silver gold color and has written in raised letters, CHIEF OF POLICE ROBERT J. CONTEE III. The Collinson eagle hallmark is in the middle of the badge. The badges are numbered 1 in the lower left-hand corner. All the 2021 silver badges are numbered “1”.

2021 – Copper / Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris:

Jonathan Shell is a member of the MPDC and dedicates a lot of his time to documenting and collecting the badge history of the Metropolitan Police. He is currently building his own web site with great information on much of the physical history of the MPDC. I think if you check out his web site you will learn a great deal

The first Official Traditional was in 1937 as shown below

The most recent...

It is believed by many that the traditional badge started from the connection of the Chief of Police - The Schriners - and the White House. The similarity of the early Schriners badges and then the traditional appears to have been transitioned. Look at these photos from John Shell's page and decide for yourself.

2nd official Traditional badge from the Chief's Office

See the similarities?