Extremely Rare Massachusetts Registry Police Special Investigator Badge Grouping

This is an extremely rare circa 1960s Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Police Special Investigator badge grouping, including two ultra-rare breast badges, one numbered and one not, and one hat badge. Back in the late 1960s, the small Special Investigation unit was started. They specialized in auto theft and false licensing, and was the first unit that could carry guns. They wore these badges, which were made by Johnson Badge in Malden. Only ten of the breast badges were made, nine for the men and one for the supervisor (that one was gold, made for Chief Supervisor Carl Catalano). All ten of the badges had number stamp on the reverse. The hat badge was used by all RMV members, and has a very low number. (Credit: Curator of RMV Museum). It is possible that the original owner of these badges went to Johnson Badge and ordered a second badge, or that the unnumbered badge was made after the first run of ten badges.

Circa 1960s.

Breast badges: approximately 2-7/16" in height and 1-7/8" in width (each); hat badge: 2-1/2" in height and 2" in width.

Chrome-plated brass, hard-fired black enamel in letters and background.

Breast badges: vertical pin with come-under locking swivel catch; hat badge: single screw post with disc backing.

Breast badge: 7; hat badge: 24.

This is from a police and law enforcement collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAHEX12 LBBEJX2/13 SAEJJX7/13

8 (Excellent-): The badges show very little wear.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.