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original late 19th or early 20th-century "Special Officer" duty badge featuring the Pennsylvania State Coat of Arms at its center. Rather than a public municipal police officer, a badge of this specific configuration was typically worn by private security watchmen, railroad police, or industrial coal and iron police operating within the Commonwealth during the state's manufacturing and mining boom.
This measures 2-5/16 inches in length and 1-1/2 inches in width and weighs 16.35 grams .
This shows age and natural patina due to its age . The pin closure works just fine .
It is stamped on the back , Cunningham PGH PA .
I’m not sure of the metal , it does not adhere to a strong magnet .
I have enhanced the lighting in the second picture so the detail can be seen better , its a dark piece .
There has been no attempt to clean or polish and this is not a dig find .
This will be carefully packaged and shipped in a sturdy box . Thank you .
Historical Context & Maker Information
Pennsylvania was a massive hub for high-quality, jeweler-grade die-stampers and uniform outfitter companies who manufactured heavy brass, bronze, and sterling silver badges. If the stamp is from a Pennsylvania maker, it most likely traces back to a few dominant companies active during that era:
- Cunningham (Pittsburgh, PA): Extremely well-known for producing heavily struck, high-quality specialized law enforcement and private security badges across western Pennsylvania during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The heavy green patina is a natural copper carbonate crust, which develops over a century on high-copper alloys like true brass or bronze when exposed to the elements.
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