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BG-15.5 (Canal Zone Police Det. Sergt. 1st Seal Square Number)

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Picture of a BG-15.5
Scale: 6 pixels equals one millimeter
Alan Levy can be reached by e-mail if you have a Panama badge for sale.

Obverse Design Top has perched eagle, wings spread, head ducked down and facing right. This eagle has the wings swept down below the feet, and is identical or almost identical to the BG-10 (second badge type) eagle. The center of the shield has the first seal of the Canal Zone with a Spanish Galleon sailing through a sea level canal. There is a smooth circle around the seal with lettering. All lettering is incuse. The lettering says "CANAL ZONE" curving above the seal and "POLICE" curving below. On the same circle there is one five pointed star to the right and one to the left of the seal. Above the shield is a smooth horizontal bar with the officer's rank of "DET. SERGT." with is an abreviation for "Detective Sergeant." Below the shield is a smooth square with the badge number of "3". The shield overall has a textured background. All edges of the shield except the top have a leaf design as the edge.
Reverse Design Probably a pin back. To be determined.
Metal Unknown metal. Gold color. Size and Shape About 45mm wide by 65mm high (1 3/4 inches by 2 1/2 inches).
Dates Issued Unknown. This is tentatively attributed as a member of the third Canal Zone Police badge type. The seal on the badge was designed in 1905 and used through 1950.
Issurer The Panama Canal Company.
Numbers Issued Pieces include #3.
Rarity Rare. Manufacturer Unknown. Source Levy Collection.
Varieties None known.
Function

Police vest badge. I would appreciate e-mail from anyone who can add anything to the history of these badges.