Brooklyn drillmaster badge

cheech

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May 6, 2012
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Been trying to find some information on this badge with very little to no luck if anyone could shed some light on it would be greatly appreciated thank you
ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1447629378.877548.jpgImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1447629417.846278.jpgImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1447629443.792635.jpg
 

I really don't know, so I'm just throwing this out there.... Style looks to be about 1895-1905 time period. The wording makes me think of a 'coach' or trainer, but I really don't know.
 

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I've been looking for information on the actual company named on the badge "The Brooklyn Fire Drill Company". I can't find out anything myself. I'm concluding this is a rare badge with a high collector value. The Bureau of Fire Prevention was created in 1912 and a system of fire drills was established at that time in NYC. This was shortly after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that occurred in 1911 which was partly responsible for the institution of a system of fire drills in the city. I would think this badge dates to somewhere within a couple/few years after 1912 when that system was established. Although I can still find no information whatsoever about this company, which is why I think it is a rare and desireable piece. I suggested that cheech post this badge here so that someone may be able to find out something/anything about "The Brooklyn Fire Drill Company" which seems to be a ghost.
 

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Braxmar was at the 10-12 Maiden Lane address from 1910 to 1926. The machine pin and "C" catch sppear original and consistent with that time period. That is a rare title and a defunct agency, making it a desirable badge for FDNY collectors. Sub 8-)
 

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Braxmar was at the 10-12 Maiden Lane address from 1910 to 1926. The machine pin and "C" catch sppear original and consistent with that time period. That is a rare title and a defunct agency, making it a desirable badge for FDNY collectors. Sub 8-)

With everything I came across I would have to agree with yours and diggummup findings. I sent out a couple more emails yesterday hopefully I'll get some replies. Thank you
 

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It might be just a novelty toy badge, or even a school fire marshal badge. It looks very thin and according to this documented dating criteria your badge isn't that old. We had Safety Patrol badges when I was in elementary school in the 60's that were thick plated badges and that the wanted back.


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I disagree, this is not a novelty or toy badge. It's a stamped badge which is why it looks "thin". There is no question or debate as to the age of this badge. That is not what this thread is about. I'll say it again...

I suggested that cheech post this badge here so that someone may be able to find out something/anything about"The Brooklyn Fire Drill Company" which seems to be a ghost.

Here is one with the same hardware that sold for over $1500- Old Brooklyn E D Fire Badge See Photos | eBay

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Here's a set of WW1 wings that I personally sold for over $2k, same hinge, albeit a different style catch-

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An ad from 1913 showing the address--
Braxmar-NY-1913.jpg
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I was just offering a differen avenue. It is a what is it and to me it looks like a toy. I have a few that i've found. These are my uneducated guesses that may hopefully expand the views and or the opinions of others. I try to use commonsense when making assumptions, but at the end of the day we know what assuming spells out, lol.

Anyway it could be real but I've never heard of a Fire Drill Master. Another observation that I notice is that the badge doesn't have anything stamped or engraved in the moniker frame.
 

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This has nothing to do with this badge especially if it was dug from the ground.

I forgot add that these collectable badges and other sought after collectables are counterfeited by the bad guys. These counterfeited collectables may not be easily detectable to the novice. So buyers be aware and seek expert advice.
 

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I will gladly research any hallmark on any lawman or fire department badge found/owned by fellow TNetters. I collected badges for over 35 years and have reference books going back to the 1970's that pretty much answer all of the questions regarding dating a badge. I am schooled on the reproduction/fantasy/fake badges in the hobby (and those who make/sell them,) and this Brooklyn FD badge is real. Beware, badge collecting is dangerously addictive! Sub 8-)
 

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So on the TV show Wild Wild West Tech they said that the first LE shield and star badges were cut out of a tin can lid?

The company that made the badge advertised that it specialized in "Masonic Emblematic Jewelry", it also says "Design Submitted Upon Request". So in my mind without any other info it could be a badge that was ordered by a school district or a janitor, anyone, even by a Masonic Fire Drill Master. Just my uneducated observations.
 

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a drillmaster would train new recruits in the fire dept and is a title uses for over 100 years
 

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I'm not saying that it isn't authentic, I'm just giving an objective view, I found this on fee bay:

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I'm not saying that it isn't authentic, I'm just giving an objective view
You sure have a funny way of showing it. I don't understand your persistence in giving your "objective view" when it's consistently in opposition of what we already know as fact. As previously stated the badge is authentic and period made. There is no questioning that. Can you provide any information as to "The Brooklyn Fire Drill Company"? Please read the original thread- http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/garage-sale-finds/480013-fire-department-badges.html
 

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I'm not saying that it isn't authentic, I'm just giving an objective view, I found this on fee bay:

I'm sorry maybe I should have been more clear it has been determined that it is authentic no questions about that. What I was looking for was about the company on the front of the badge Drill Master "Bklyn Fire Drill Co". Thank you and I really do appreciate all the help I have been getting
 

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Okay thank you for posting it. I might have missed it but how did you come about it? It seems obvious that it wasn't a metal detecting find but I've been wrong before.

If I was going to purchase the badge as a collector I would ponder this:

As my mind thinks anyone interested in fire department memorabilia back when the manufacturer was still producing badges could have ordered it. And now decades latter we are trying to find information that doesn't have a documented history. So without a trail to verify the fire company the badge could be an authentic novelty badge designed by request from a company that specialized in Masonic badges (agged silver). That is all, very nice badge none the less, CoNgRaTs :).
 

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