Arizona Tribal Police Appraisal

San Carlos Apache Police Native American Tribal Law Enforcement Badge

This is a five-pointed metallic star badge, likely composed of nickel-silver or silver-plated brass, representing the Apache Police of San Carlos, Arizona. The badge features a ball-tipped five-point star design with an embossed central medallion depicting a profile of a Native American chieftain in a full-feathered war bonnet. The text 'APACHE POLICE' is arched across the top points, while 'SAN CARLOS ARIZ.' is curved along the bottom. The lettering is rendered in a black-filled, serif block font. The three remaining points of the star feature decorative, scrolling filigree engravings, adding a Victorian or late 19th-century aesthetic. Regarding condition, the piece shows significant signs of age and authentic wear, including surface tarnish, minor pitting, and fine scratches consistently seen on metal law enforcement insignias from the early 20th century. The metal displays a warm, aged patina with a duller finish on the recessed areas, which serves to make the raised lettering and central icon more prominent. The construction appears to be high-quality stamped metal, typical of historic Western law enforcement badges. This specific design is associated with the historical San Carlos Indian Reservation police forces during the late 1800s to early 1900s, a period when tribal law enforcement styles evolved from early scout roles to formalized police departments.