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This is not an official site.
Queensland Police Service
Queensland
Police, Queensland Police Force and Queensland Water Police badge history.
Note: The State arms, seal and name of the Queensland Police Service
are Copyright © State of Queensland, Australia. HRH "The Queen's Crown" ("Saint Edward's Crown") is
Copyright © The Royal Household 2012 and its use granted solely by Royal Warrant.
Queen Victoria Crown (QVC) Queensland Police Force, nickel plated, brass, helmet plate.
1884 - 1906.
This was the first Queensland
helmet plate issued by the Queensland Police and records indicate may have been made by Thomas Stokes (Stokes Melbourne); in
conjunction with their agents, Stevenson and Sons, Melbourne, in 1884. This is a nickel plated, "one piece", diestruck,
flat, helmet plate; with the letters and numbers soldered on and a black, laquered background
added. The letter was for the specific District ("A" is for Brisbane/Moreton) and the number is the officer's
"District Number". An earlier, one piece badge, made of polished Brass, which solely displayed
just a "District Letter" in combination with a "District Number" below it, was made by J.R. Gaunt,
London and was worn on the "kepi" from c1881 - 1906. Individual, nickel plated, letters and numbers (made by
Stokes Melbourne) were also issued and used on the "kepi" in this manner; but later during this period
of time. The letters on the badges: "A-H", "M" or W", would denote a "District", while
the numbers, were an officer's "Distict Number"; not to be confused with an officer's "Registered Number".
These "District Letter with a Number" type badges were handed back when the officer was tranferred, from one "District"
to another, whereupon he was issued with a "new" badge; with the applicable "District" letter and a "new"
number.
In 1906, the new "Russian style"
forage caps were issued, with the new "King's Crown" cap badge and a new "King's Crown" helmet plate (see
below). The QVC helmet plates were: " returned to Police stores" in Brisbane; where just the metal "numbers" were
removed from these old QVC "helmet plates" (above) and then reissued as District, "collar badge numbers" only, for
use by "other ranks". What was left, of these now defaced, QVC plates, was presumably "scrapped"; hence the
extreme rarity of any "intact" original, QVC helmet plate.
Only three of the authentic, nickel
plated, QVC plates are known to have survived: A125, A127 and A194; all have known "owners".
* One of the
Rarest.
PLEASE BE AWARE:
A shiny, new, "brassy" coloured and slightly curved, unofficial
REPLICA, QVC helmet plate, was apparently made in 2009 and unlike the originals, the district letter "A" is struck into
the badge and visible from the back; the "numbers" are glued on. The replica does not have the side
edge "lip" around it, is not maker marked (or permanately marked as a replica) and the top lug, on the back, is incorrectly
positioned in a "North-South" direction, whilst an original, has the top lug in an "East-West" direction. Apparently only in
"A" versions.
This brass type, Queen Victoria Crown, "F" District version was made of a unique
"5 piece" design with removeable numbers and letters which are fixed through a leather backing and "pinned" onto
a separate removable back plate. It still has to be authenticated as an original, issued plate ( as we have no photos
of anyone wearing it, as yet), but is most likely is authentic. It's unique design seems to be the precursor to the later
"King''s Crown", "5 part" design (below). Records indicate they were probably made by "Tower and Lyon", New
York, USA, in 1890, to facilitate the easy changing of District letters and/or numbers and "trialed". It was noted,
at the time, that they were withdrawn soon after, due to the "softening of black enamel, due to climate". *One of the Rarest.
*Ozbadge thanks the Queensland Police Museum and Grant Linwood.
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The Queensland Police, (QVC), "Commissioned Officer's", Queen Victoria
Crown, bullion style badge; possibly second version. This style of badge was initially issued on a kepi or helmet
and is possibly based on an early Royal Navy or H.M. Customs Officer's badge of the time. This style of badge may have been originally used by the Superintendent of the Queensland
Water Police in 1870; who was also the local Customs officer. It was eventually adopted by all "Commissioned
Officers" and used on kepi's, caps and helmets over the ensuing years; see right. As they were all hand made, they were issued
in slightly, varying styles (see right).
Unfortunately, no originals of the QVC version are known to have survived. Note: Framed reproduction
sets (50) of the historical bullion badges were remade by Ozbadge in 2005, under authority of the Queensland Police Service
and are serial numbered; and hallmarked on the back of the badge.
The Queensland Police "Copper" or "Bronze" coloured Helmet Plate; without surmounted
crown. The crown may have been added to the top of the badge in later versions, due to "Royal Protocol" (see right);
as the crown is supposed to be on the highest point of a badge. These "5 piece" brass and leather helmet plates
and a smaller " 1 piece" matching brass cap badge, were originally issued to "other ranks" of the "foot
police" in 1906. Original maker was JR Gaunt and Sons Ltd, London. Extremely Rare. c 1906.
The "black enamel" version of the King's Crown Helmet Plate; now
thought to be made for "exclusive" use by the Mounted Police. c1940
- c1960 Hallmarked: Myers & Co.
Extremely Rare.
The small King's Crown Cap Badge. This badge was originally issued in c1906
in "silver" and "brass" for use on the new forage or "Russian style" cap for "other ranks" of the "foot police" and was hallmarked:
JR Gaunt and Son Ltd. London, until c1915 and is "Extremely Rare". A "gold plated" version, with
"Royal Blue" enamel was also made by J.R. Gaunt; possibly as a sample or for the Commissioner's use; *One
of a kind". Later issues, in "brass" and then "silver" are Very Rare and were also
made by A.J.Parkes, Wallace Bishop, Myers and Co, Flavelles and Miller and Sons; and issued until c1960.
Note: A modern, replica version of this badge, with
a "clear coat" laquer on it, was made in c2008; with the raised hallmark of "A.J. Parkes" on them.
The Queensland Police Queen's Crown cap, bush hat, helmet
badge and Warrant Card holder badge.
c 1960-1978. Second
last obsolete badge. Known as the "Pineapple" badge. There were at least 5 versions of this badge made by various makers including
"Wallace Bishop" and "AJ Parkes", before being replaced. Not
all hallmarked. Scarce. A plastic or PVC "Warrant Card" holder,
containing this style of badge was apparently issued to members of the CIB only and was printed on the outside with
the words "WARRANT CARD" and the then current "Queensland Police Department" logo . Extremely Rare.
A smaller "lapel" version of this badge was worn by all officer's and NCO's as a collar
/ gorget badges from 1960 until 1978; and then worn only by Commissioned Officers, until 1990. Water Police
officers wore a "gold" version of this small collar badge.
The Queenland Water Police, King's Crown, badge. These intricately enameled
badges were originally made by Rothwell's Ltd. Brisbane; but were not hallmarked. The Queensland Water Police was formed
in 1859 in Brisbane and is one of Australia's oldest independant Police Forces.
* One of the Rarest. c 1923 - 1960.
N.B: This badge was also issued, nearly exactly the same, but with a Queen's Crown from
c 1960 -1978; made by Myers and Co.
Note: Some replica versions were made, using solid plain enamel,
rather than a "vitreous glass" or "cloisonne" type enamel; and without "gold flake".
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Ozbadge gives special thanks to Grant Linwood for his research and dedication.
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The "Brass" or "Bronze" version of the helmet plate, with
the King's Crown, was issued with a smaller brass cap badge; for use by "other ranks" of the "foot police" in 1906. This series of beautiful badges were made of " 5 parts" with leather or another exotic
skin, used in the background of the centre piece. The first brass/copper
colour versions were made solely by J.R. Gaunt (London) from 1906 - 1915 and then (to circa 1960 or later), also
by Jepson Bros. (London and Sydney), Wallace Bishop (Brisbane), Myers and Co (Sydney) and also Miller and Son (Sydney). Extremely Rare.
The Queensland Police Mounted QC helmet plate in chrome and enamel.
The Mounted Trooper version has two lugs and a slight curve (as
above) for use with a helmet, whilst the "Pipes and Drums" plate (see right) is flat and has a pin back; for use
on their feather bonnets. Very Rare.
c 1982.
The King's Crown, "silver", "High Collar" or "Gorget" Badge was issued
for use by Commissioned Officers only. Very early versions are hallmarked JR Gaunt and Son, London. This badge normally has an "unvoided crown", black enamel type and "North-South" lugs. After
1920, versions were also made by Wallace Bishop and also A.J.Parkes. Normally worn in pairs on the Officer's "high
collar" until c1949 and then on both lapels of the new uniform
on a "gorget" cloth tab.
c 1906-1959. Extremely Rare. This badge
has also been rarely, but mistakenly, used as a cap badge. Also made, for a short time, in a Very
Rare, Queen's Crown version; c 1960.
An Extremely Rare
QC version, with White and Maroon enamel inlay, was made as a "high collar" badge for the "Mounted" unit's maroon uniform,
for the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and until their new blue uniform; issued in 1990.
The Queenland Police QC Constable's and Sergeant's cap badge. Constable's
"Registered Numbers" were usually in the plinth area. 1978 -1989. Scarce for the
constable's badge and Very Rare for the Sergeant's badge. Hallmarked A.J. Parkes. A
version with "PIPE BAND" in plinth with a safety pin with circle or wheel fitting on the back, was also made for
the bands "feather bonnet" head dress. Extremeley Rare. A
now Scarce IPA momento badge, which were all numbered with the number "1111", was also
made after it was withdrawn and used as a retirement, presentation and/or collectors badge. A smaller "lapel" badge of this
version was also made, but apparently not officially issued.
The obsolete, Queen's Crown, Queensland Water Police, Sergeant's cap badge. A constable'
s " Registered Number" or the "SGT" Sergeant rank was normally in
the plinth area. There was also a rare "blank" VIP momento badge made. Badges numbered
"1111" were not issued and are local IPA momento badges; now considered Scarce.
All original numbered "Water Police" badges (except 1111) are Very Rare and the Sgt's badge is Extremely Rare.
The Queensland Water Police unit now use the current
standard issue badge. Hallmarked: A.J. Parkes. c1978-1989.
The Current Queensland Police Service "Plaque" badge.
A new cap
badge and smaller flat ID badge design was introduced in 1989 by Commissioner N.Newham.
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The Queensland Police, King's Crown, "Commissioned Officer's", bullion cap
badge. c 1901 -1957. Various styles were hand-made over the years. Extremely Rare.
Ozbadge.com thanks Ed.Wortman.
The Queen's Crown, "Commissioned Officer's", bullion badge. Varying
styles were issued. c 1958. Very Rare.
Ozbadge thanks Queensland Police Museum.
The "Silver" coloured version of the Queensland Police helmet plate was
originally issued only to "other ranks" of the "Mounted" or "Cavalry" troop in 1906; “to correspond with the silver
spike and chain on the mounted men’s helmets". The original maker of this badge (helmet plate) in 1906, was J.R.Gaunt
and Son Ltd. London. Other makers, after c1915, included Myers & Co, AJ Parkes and Wallace Bishop; to c1960.
Most are hallmarked and are Extremely Rare. Note: There are "chrome" type replicas, with a soldered back plate, which were apparently
made for a movie in c 1990.
The Queensland Police QC "Pipes and Drums" type helmet plate was
flat and has a special separate bar and pin fitting, with a full circle safety wheel, on back; designed for use
on feather bonnets. Hallmarked: "AJ Parkes". c 1984. Very Rare. Note: There is NO evidence that a gold or gilt helmet plate (as above) was ever issued.
The Queensland Police Probationary cap badge. There were two versions
with slight enamel variations. Hallmarked AJ Parkes. Rare. c 1955 -1972.
The second issue Queensland Police ID badge. This was a "general
issue" badge (as against the "Pineapple Badge" Warrant Card badge, which was exclusively issued to members of the CIB at the
time). It is a flat badge and was made to be carried in a fitted leather wallet with clear plastic panels to hold
the officer's warrant card and the badge. There were no fittings
on the rear of the badge. There was no colour enamel in the badge and the plinth was blank (no number). The outside was
of the leather holder (wallet) was not printed with any words or insignia. Hallmarked. c1980-1989. Very
Rare.
The Queensland Police
Cadet badge was originally issued in 1970, to all Cadets at the old Police Depot, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane and was "trialed" with a new dark blue police
uniform; with a white "crowned", blue banded, peak cap. On January 1st 1971, the new dark blue uniform replaced the old
khaki uniform for all "sworn" ranks; with a blue cap, the new chequered cap band and the "Pineapple" badge. Cadets wore dark blue slip-on
cloth epaulettes with the words "POLICE CADET" embroidered in white (instead of nickel badge numbers). Oxley Police Academy opened on 24
March 1972. Cadets
at the Oxley Academy had different coloured epaulette sleeves denoting seniority. There were at least three versions of this
badge made over the years. Most hallmarked: "AJ Parkes". Rare.
Note: Apparently, at least
100 replicas of this badge were made in 2011 for a Cadet Reunion with slighly darker, blue enamel and are maker
marked: "ajparkes.com.au"
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