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ARTIFACT:
What we have here is a wonderful pair of Fire Department Badges from the Norwood Massachusetts Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company Number 1 from circa 1911. Not much history can be found on the Norwood MA Fire Department from this early period, but we know from the engraving on the back of the 10K Gold Presentation Captain Badge that Joseph W. Roby was a member of Hose Company No. 1 from 1894 to 1911, and possibly the Captain of the Company during that time. He certainly was the Captain when he apparently retired in 1911, was presented this Gold Badge, and was also presented his "Working" carry "EX-MEMBER" Badge for Norwood FD Hose 1.
The Gold Presentation badge is I the form of a very stout Maltese Cross, and has a wonderful enameled silhouette of a Fire Hydrant at bottom with the number 1 inside, and 2 engraved hoses coming out of each side, culminating in black enameled Nozzles. It reads CAPTAIN at top, and NORWOOD HOSE in two lines at upper center. The badge is substantial, but not ostentatious at 1-25/32" in width and the same in height, and weighing in at 15.6 grams.
The Hose 1 Ex-Member badge, which came with the Gold Presentation badge, and so assumably was also owned by Joseph W. Roby is in the iconic Boston badge shape, Norwood being a southern suburb of the great city, and the EX-MEMBER panel is applied to the top of an otherwise "Duty" badge, made by the Boston Badge Company.
Research shows that the Roby name was prominent in Norwood around the turn of the 20th century, and Joseph and some of his relatives "wore many hats" in their service to the city of Norwood.
VINTAGE:
Circa 1911.
SIZE:
Approximately Gold Badge: 1-25/32" in width and the same in height, EX-Member Badge: 2-11/16" in height x 1-11/16" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
10k Gold, Chrome plated Nickel with black painted lettering.
ATTACHMENT:
Gold badge: Vertical T pin with forked locking catch. EX-Member Badge: Vertical Kick pin with forked locking catch.
MARKINGS:
BOSTON
BADGE CO
(Marking on Retirement or Ex-Member badge)
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a fire department collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MAEDDM22 LCBGEX08/14/22
CONDITION:
Gold Badge: 8+ - 9- (Excellent - Excellent+): Very light surface wear, all enamel is perfect and glossy. Very light patina on reverse near top of pin assembly.
Nickel Plated Nickel Retirement or Ex-Member badge: 6+ (Fine-Very Fine): Light to moderate wear on obverse. Would grade higher, but badge exhibits multiple scratches on reverse, possibly from someone adding initials, then trying to obliterate them. Could possibly be polished out. Still displays Very Fine+ from the obverse, and the real star of the show here is the Gold Badge anyway…
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
