An Old Twist on "Stinkin' Badges"

When the Texas Rangers were first organized in the 1823, badges were not issued. Instead, Warrants of Authority -- impressive paper documents that officers kept folded in their pockets -- were issued to officers but not to enlisted men. This practice continued, in one form or another, until 1935 when badges and credentials were specified for all Texas Rangers.

Prior to 1935, individual Rangers had badges made from Mexican coins. Some were probably made by jewelers, others may have been made by gunsmiths or metalworkers. It is often reported that Rangers themselves cut them out of coins around campfires, but this is an unlikely legend.

Knowing that Mexican coins were being converted into badges of authority in Texas may have contributed to the attitude in Mexico about "stinkin' badges," so famously portrayed in the movies. Think you know which movie? Check our earlier blog entry here.

These first badges were used as a means of identifying Rangers in the midst of feuds and disputes that might involve several law enforcement agencies, or even where "hired guns" might be found. Photographs taken in the 1870s through the 1920s show
that there was a great variety of badges.

The earliest authenticated Texas Ranger Badge dates back to 1889 or so. The badge shown in the accompanying photo is from the period 1910 to 1925, and is believed to be a "stock" design sold to law enforcement agents through catalogs. The basic design is a durable design, still being used today by a large number of law enforcement agencies including the Texas Rangers. The Badge Company of New Jersey offers more than 20 variations of this design.

Note, there is a vast number of "reproduction" Texas Ranger badges being offered for sale today. It's not only a lasting design, it's a popular one, too. But at The Badge Company of New Jersey we do not deal in reproductions, nor do we sell to collectors.

You can learn more about the Texas Rangers, their badges, and even the origin of the nickname "The Lone Star State" at http://www.texasranger.org/history/HistoricBadges.htm