These are the various metal insignia worn and carried by Game Wardens and Conservation Officers in BC. Breast badges are not commonly worn in Canada, so the badges depicted are either wallet/pocket badges or hat badges. As of 2024, I do not caretake the first badge depicted, or any badge from the second series of Deputy badges.
This badge is believed to have been used in the late 1800's before the formation of an actual Game Department in 1905.
From 1905 to 1918 there was only one actual Provincial Game Warden who had a host of Deputies. Many were not paid and were called Honorary Deputies. Badges #1 to 50 were produced in 1905. Hallmark � Tower & Lyon, NY
Badge #39 was issued to Arthur P. Cummins of Chilliwack in 1907. He has the distinction of being the one of only two Deputies who continued their service with the Provincial Police in 1918 and became a Game Warden in 1929.
Badges #51-77 (plus three Provincial Game and Forest Warden badges for A. Bryan Williams) were produced in 1908. Hallmark � Tower & Lyon, NY. Below is an artist's rendition of what Williams' badge would have looked like based on the design of the Deputy badges. This is the only series from which I do not have a badge in my historical collection. The badge shown here was borrowed to produce this photograph.
Badges # 78 - 105 (plus 2 Prov. Game Warden) were produced in 1909. Hallmark � Tower & Lyon, NY.
Badges #200 - 224 were produced in 1911 and came in two different shapes, both shield variations. They were fairly thin, stamped badges. Hallmarked "Bagley & Sons, Vancouver."
Badge #204 was issued to Deputy Game Warden Currie Schisler in Princeton in 1911, and badge #224 was issued to DGW Milton Christian of Prince Rupert in 1912. DGW Christian was the skipper of the patrol boat Wakesia. He fell ill in late 1916 and was terminated for neglect of duty. He died on Christmas Eve of 1916.
#225 - #250 were produced in 1913 and have no hallmark. They were a standard design used by many agencies across North America at the time. This particular badge was issued to Leo Mader in Grand Forks. Deputy Game Warden Mader was relieved of his duties on April 4th, 1917 following the election of the first Liberal Party government in the history of BC. Premier Harlan Brewster's first order of business was to rid the government of patronage appointments which had been numerous under the previous 13 years of Conservative Party control.
Badges #251 - 262 were produced in late 1914 and were the last of the Deputy badges. They have no hallmark but records suggest they were produced by Vancouver Stencil Company. As there were only 12 of them made, they are the rarest. Number 251 was issued to Harry Blurton in Vernon to replace his original badge #75 which was lost. A thirteenth badge in this design was then made, bearing number 75, and was issued to Blurton. Either badge #75 would be a rare find indeed!! The records of exactly who the remainder of the badges were issued to are non-existent. The picture below is of an actual badge from this series that was found in a garden in Victoria, rusted almost beyond repair. Re-plating it was not an option and it has been partially restored for display purposes using epoxy.
The Game Inspector and Member badges are very rare. The Chief badge is one of a kind and was issued to Major Montague Furber in 1925 when the Game Laws Enforcement Branch was being established. The Game Conservation Board Member badge was likely issued to the first Chairman A.R. Baker, though this is not confirmed. It is also unknown if badges were issued to all members of the board.
In 1929 the Game Commission became a separate entity from the BC Police. The badge and uniform was very similar with some small differences. The brass items were worn on the collar, epaullette and cap.
In 1929 the Game Commission became a separate entity from the BC Police. The badge and uniform was very similar with some small differences. The brass items were worn on the collar, epaullette and cap.
Cap badges from 1957 to 1979, and the wallet badge used from 1962 to 1979.
In 1980 the color of the uniform was changed to blue and gray and all badges were now silver. Below are all the cap and wallet badges issued until the present day. The gold badge is worn on the cap of the Chief Conservation Officer.
In 2004 the cap badge of the Conservation Officer Service was changed to depict the newly approved insignia of the Service, rather than making use of the Provincial Coat of Arms. The wallet badge was changed in 2005.
