Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1477:
Description
This is a classic example of an early-to-mid 20th-century American law enforcement badge, specifically for a Deputy Sheriff of Winona County, which is located in Minnesota. The badge is a traditional six-pointed “star” style, which was very common for county and western jurisdictions. It appears to be constructed of a nickel-plated brass or similar base metal, a standard material for duty badges of the era. The face is engraved with the text “DEPUTY,” “WINONA COUNTY,” and “SHERIFF.” Crucially, the reverse side is stamped with the manufacturer’s mark: “ST. P. STAMP WORK” (St. Paul Stamp Works), identifying it as a product of St. Paul, Minnesota. The reverse features an early-style pin-back and catch that has been crudely soldered or repaired, indicative of it being a veteran piece that saw use. The overall condition is Good-Used, showing significant surface wear, scratching, and tarnish consistent with age and long-term storage or use. The nickel plating is heavily worn, revealing the darker base metal beneath, especially on the raised text and edges. The rear attachment is intact but shows significant oxidation and the aforementioned crude repair/re-soldering. H 2.25″, W 2.25″. From the Western display in Donley’s Wild West Town.
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