UPDATE: Accompanied by a copy of Larry Wack's report on the badge, published in October 2013.
J. Edgar Hoover's original circa mid-1930s red-and-chrome FBI raid badge prototype, measuring approximately 3″ x 4″, featuring "US" in large lettering at center, with "Federal Bureau of Investigation" above, and "Department of Justice" below. On the reverse is a pin with clasp closure and the number "1" engraved within an oval. In fine condition.
This badge comes from the belongings of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and was originally sold by Richard Mohr, son of Asst. Director John Mohr, FBI, who obtained numerous items through the estates of Hoover and Clyde Tolson. The badge has been the subject of an inquiry by retired FBI Special Agent Larry Wack, who determined that it may have been the only sample or prototype badge submitted to Hoover by the L. G. Balfour Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, in response to an order for 300 'raid badges' matching this description. No other example has appeared at auction.
Files obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) revealed preliminary drawings that resemble this badge almost exactly, as well as FBI internal memos from the spring of 1935, recommending a 'a chrome-finished shield about 4″ long and 3″ across…with the letters 'US' prominently displayed in red.' It seems that the Bureau changed its mind about the raid badge—it is comically large and overly bulky for its intended purpose—and decided to use identifying armbands instead. Accompanied by a copy of Larry Wack's report on the badge, published in October 2013.
