Winchester inspector badge|Winchester Memorabilia|Forum|Winchester Collector

Looks like one of those fantasy items like the big padlocks supposedly used to secure Colt and other factory areas. 

Mike

Clarence-

When I bought my “Colt” padlock I knew it was a fantasy item. The difference is I don’t believe there ever was a genuine Colt padlock. It was at one of those “estate” auctions that sells lots of shady stuff. They had an 1866 once that they wouldn’t let me take a closer look at, couldn’t get a straight answer on the RF/CF question. I’m not sure there ever was a genuine Winchester Inspector badge, either. Gotta admit I wouldn’t mind having one even if it is a fantasy item. 

Mike

It is my opinion that all such badges are fakes. Doing research I’ve looked through a lot of period factory photos and have never seen anyone wearing a “Badge”. With the only exception being members of the Factory’s own Police and Fire Departments. Which makes logical sense that they would have badges.

A lot of the time the factory inspectors were women. This is assuredly the case with the cartridge department. Inspection was a mundane task that required cheaper labor and women were paid less the men. Most of the photos I’ve found with employees using factory tool gages, they’re being used by women. 

I’ve also never seen anything that I would consider a factory uniform. With the exception being that some of the company shooting teams would wear coats with a big red W on them. But this is time period specific. Often the employees wore clothing of the period that they could afford. I seen a few photos of some employees wearing neck ties while working directly next to heavy machinery lathes. 

Sincerely,

Maverick