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Museum object · Awards, Medals, and Insignia

Firefighter badge worn by John Ruffins, Jr.

1970s

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A silver metal FDNY badge (a) worn by Captain John Louis Ruffins, Jr. with a black leather badge holder (b). The badge design consists of a Maltese cross shield with a center circle surrounded by four V-shaped quadrilaterals. An eagle perches atop the uppermost quadrilateral, in the middle of which is printed [471]. The center circle has a relief design of the Seal of New York City. Around the seal is the text [CAPTAIN / FIRE DEPT. NEW YORK] set against a red enamel background. The badge is held in a soft black leather folding case with a gold metal snap closure.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2020.25ab

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