Military Badges

This distinction seems simple enough, but many militaria collectors find themselves reverting to the sheriff/firefighter association of the word when talking about badges, using the term to describe just about any metal insignia that is pinned to a uniform rather than hung from a ribbon.

Some of the easiest military badges to identify without fear of contradiction are those worn by military police, or MPs. Often made of stamped brass, these shield-shaped badges have all the usual elements and devices seen on regular police badges—an eagle at the top, a liberty cap hoisted on a pole, an American flag.

Other badges are smaller, resembling what most people might call a pin, and meant to be worn on either a jacket or cap. These badges frequently do little more than signify one’s skill as, say, a welder or surgeon. Other small badges note one’s ability to jump out of airplanes (a parachutist’s badge) or play the trumpet (as seen in a badge for a company’s bugler).

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