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Description
• Vintage circa 1950s Sergeant 714 novelty police badge store display
• Strongly associated with / inspired by the classic Dragnet TV series and Joe Friday Badge 714
• Original illustrated display card features the famous “Dum de Dum Dum” theme reference
• Includes 7 metal badges; display originally held 12 — 5 badges are missing
• Four badges have blue plastic jewel centers, two have red jewel centers, and one is missing its center jewel
• Three badges have damaged/broken pin catches on the backs — both red-jewel badges and the badge missing its jewel
• Remaining blue-jewel badges retain their catches
• Each badge reads “SERGEANT / LOST ANGELS POLICE / 714”
• Badges measure approximately 2¼” tall x 1½” wide
• Display card measures approximately 11½” x 11½”
• Original hanging hole at top remains intact
Vintage novelty police badge display dating to the early television era and clearly patterned after Sergeant Joe Friday’s famous Badge 714 from Dragnet. The card even incorporates the recognizable “Dum de Dum Dum” musical phrase associated with the show.
This appears to be a vintage Dragnet-inspired novelty item rather than an actual police badge. No manufacturer or licensing information has been found on the card or badges.
The badges are metal with colored faceted plastic jewel centers. They show age-related dirt, surface wear, paint loss and discoloration. Some old adhesive is visible around several jewel centers; it is unknown whether the jewels were originally installed this way or were reattached at some point.
Three badges have broken/missing rear pin catches as shown. One badge is missing its center jewel completely.
The original display card has substantial age wear including holes from missing badges, tearing around several mounting points, edge/corner wear, creasing and a larger torn area near the center. Five badges are missing from the original 12-badge arrangement.
Despite the condition, this is a very unusual surviving 1950s television-era retail display with fantastic period graphics and strong Dragnet / Joe Friday appeal.
Please review all photographs closely for exact condition and included pieces.
