Rocky Mountain Engineering and Materials Technology,
Inc.
An Engineering Consulting Firm
2452 South Trenton Way, Suite H
Denver, Colorado 80231
(303) 306-0660 Fax (303) 306-0990
July 23, 1997
Les Bugai., Jr.
Les' Antiques and Collectibles
P.O. Box 1199 Seguin, Texas 78156
Ref: Rocky Mountain Engineering & Materials File Number
707202 Sheriff's Badge Authentication:
Dear Mr. Bugai:
Rocky Mountain Engineering and Materials Technology,
Inc. has completed our investigation of a Cochise County Sheriffs badge to
verify the authenticity of the badge and the engraving. It is our opinion
that both the badge and the engravings are authentic to the date 1881
found on the reverse side.
The badge was examined using the optical microscope at
magnifications of up to 140 times to evaluate the condition and age of the
badge and the stamping on the front surface, as well as the year 1881 and
the name John Behan. Emphasis was placed on examination of the wear
patterns on edges, cavities, cut outs and holes and on areas where surface
corrosion had occurred over the years. By looking at corroded areas and
associated scratches, we are able to determine if the metal has been
artificially treated to give the appearance of being old.
Using density measurements, we determined that the
badge is made from silver. The accuracy of our density techniques are
insufficient to differentiate between sterling and other silver alloy
compositions.
The badge is of two piece construction having a bar pin
at the top with the identification COCHISE CO. and a circle which
surrounds an off center five pointed star hung from the pin with chain
links. At the bottom of the circle the word SHERIFF is found in bas
relief. Figure 1 shows
front and back overall views of the badge. Close-up views of the circle
portion of the badge seen in Figure 2.
Microscopic examination of various areas show a uniform
amount of rounding of the various features such as the peening marks
between the letters on the front face, the cut outs around the star, the
engravings inside the star, and the year and name engravings on the back
face. All appear to have been made at the same time. In addition to the
feature wear, we find that corrosion products inside the engraving that
are similar to those found on the flat surfaces. Corrosion deposits are
seen which bridge old scratch marks on the flat surfaces.
Photographs taken through the microscope of the peened
area adjacent to the letter E in sheriff illustrate the rounding of the
impressions occurring through normal wear. Figure 3 shows three
photographs at increasingly high magnification in which the wear can be
seen. Areas where corrosion deposits are present are identified by arrows.
The cutouts at the ends of the star are uniformly worn,
particularly at the sharp interior corners. Figure 4 shows this
condition.
The year 1881 shows wear patterns and corrosion damage
along the side faces of the engraving that are indicative of old work, as
seen in Figure 5.
Engraved script letters for John Behan shows the same
degree of wear and corrosion as the remainder of the badge. This
observation is strong evidence of the authenticity of the engraved name.
Close-up photographs of the letter B are seen in
Figure 6.
Wear patterns surrounding the holes in both the bar and
star where the chains join them together could not have been artificially
enhanced. Microscopic examination of the matching areas of the chain links
show matching wear patterns. Figure 7 shows two
examples of the wear.
A deep scratch on the badge is bridged by a corrosion
deposit, as seen in Figure
8. These deposits are not the result of artificially enhanced
corrosion.
Microscopic examination clearly shows that the badge
and engravings are characteristic of the nineteenth century and are deemed
to be authentic.
As you known, we have inspected many articles of this
era for authentication and have successfully discriminated between
counterfeits and authentic items. We are confident that your John Behan
badge is authentic.
Sincerely,
Fred R. Schwartzberg, P.E.
President
