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Old 10-15-2011, 10:51 PM   #1
arestorations
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Default prefix letter on Ford Badges

Does anyone know the importants of the prefix letters on Ford employee badges?
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Old 10-15-2011, 10:58 PM   #2
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

The letters signified which part of the plant they were assigned to. You weren't permitted to go to other areas of the plant in which you did not work.

I have a list that tells what dept went with what letter, but it may take a day or so to dig thru my files.
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Old 10-16-2011, 01:07 AM   #3
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Oddly enough, I just today got a packet in the mail that explains all of it. I had met a man in Hershey and we struck up a conversation about them.

I'm at work right now and will try to post sometime tomorrow.
-Tim
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Old 10-16-2011, 09:18 PM   #4
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Thanks guys for checking this out for me, I am sure this is a question most Model "A"s have wondered about before. I was sure Henry had a reason for what he did and I appreciate any information to answer this question.
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Old 10-16-2011, 09:39 PM   #5
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Alright...

The Model A era badge was actually the Model T style radiator and was used 1920-1931.

This list that I have does not show what the letters designated for this style of badge but there is a comprehensive list for the later 1937-1960's era Rouge.
A - Motor Building
B - Motor Building, Paper
C - Plant, Tank Engine, Power Plant, Specialty Foundry
D - Gear and Axle
F - Engine Plant
G - Iron Foundry
H - Plastic
J - Exists, Dept unknown
K - Exists, Dept unknown
L - Stamping Plant
M - Iron Foundry
N - Glass Plant - under 5,000 Mfg Service, Over 5,000.
P - Casting Machine Plant
R - Steel Mill
S - Stamping Plant
T - Mfg Service
U - Exists, Dept unknown
W - Mfg Service, Under 5,000, Tool and Die under 5,000
X - Dearborn Assembly
Y - Exists, Dept unknown
Z - Frame Plant

This comes from a list compiled by a man named Jim Krucki.

-Tim
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Old 10-16-2011, 09:51 PM   #6
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

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I'm pretty sure "K" is Ford Service- aka Harry Bennett's men. This likely changed when Henry Ford II took over in '45 and Ford Service changed names to "Plant Protection".

You'd see Bennett's men everywhere including Edison Institute, the private homes of various Ford family and high ranking executives. For instance, Charles Sorensen and Ray Dahlinger who were neighbors of Henry Ford had men supplied by Harry Bennett for the purpose of keeping their respective properties secure. Ford Service was one of the few if only division of employees who could go everywhere in the plant.


An "HP" prefix would indicate they were assigned to the Highland Park complex. The badge is the same 1937-1964 style with the Rouge background, but would have HP then the badge number. Ford made tractors there as well as other operations after the Rouge opened for production in 1927.

It's also worth noting when you were assigned a badge, you'd get a set of tool checks that matched the badge number.
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Old 10-16-2011, 10:07 PM   #7
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Now what about this guy...

Just sold on the 'bay for almost $300...

I thought it looked home made/modified.
-Tim
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File Type: jpg RougeStarBadge.jpg (44.0 KB, 187 views)
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Old 10-16-2011, 10:45 PM   #8
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

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Now what about this guy...

Just sold on the 'bay for almost $300...

I thought it looked home made/modified.
-Tim
Looks like a fantasy item to me. Not unlike those "Guard" badges that were floating around by the hundreds a few years ago.

Like Vince, I've never seen a badge like that and I've been collecting Ford Memorabilia for a good many years in addition to being a Ford historian.
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Old 10-17-2011, 09:33 AM   #9
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Guys, I have a Highland Park badge with a FD prefix. Does anyone have an idea what deptment that would refer too?
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Old 10-17-2011, 10:29 AM   #10
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Fire Department
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Old 10-17-2011, 10:47 AM   #11
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

A neighbor lady claims she worked for Ford in Ypsilanti, and her badge said "Ypsilanti" on it. She says she still has it "somewhere," and will give it to me when she finds it. Was there in fact a badge marked Ypsilanti?
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Old 10-17-2011, 01:11 PM   #12
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Yes. Gary in MN

Ford badge 001 (Small).jpg
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Old 10-17-2011, 03:43 PM   #13
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

OK, now I really want it!
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Old 10-18-2011, 01:24 PM   #14
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Hello Luke: Any ideas on this badge ??

Ford badge 003 (Small).jpg


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Old 10-18-2011, 04:34 PM   #15
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

I have a triangular tool check out tag from the Rouge Plant.
X= assembly
315 - employee pay number

These were used to check out company tools, so they knew where to look if they weren't returned at the end of the shift.
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Old 10-18-2011, 08:50 PM   #16
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

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Hello Luke: Any ideas on this badge ??

Attachment 58323


Gary in MN
Gary,

I haven't seen a pin like that before, but if I had to wager a guess, I'd say it dated from WWII era. Quite possibly used by someone inspecting B-24s coming off the line at Willow Run or amphibious jeeps at the Rouge, etc.

In my collection of NOS, I have a few Ford jeep NOS parts. The script on the boxes match the script on your pin.

All this is just an educated guess, but it may give you an avenue for more research.
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Old 10-19-2011, 08:36 AM   #17
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

Hello Luke: Thanks for the info. Here is one more I do not have any idea what era it is from.

Ford badge 008 (Small).jpg


Thanks again. Gary in MN
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Old 06-04-2012, 12:03 PM   #18
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

I have the Rouge id badge with the letter 'W' before the id number from the model a era. What shop does the 'W' designte?
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Old 06-04-2012, 06:36 PM   #19
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

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I have the Rouge id badge with the letter 'W' before the id number from the model a era. What shop does the 'W' designte?
See #5 above for your answer.

Do you know Mike and Eve Herdell in Hidden Valley Lake?

Pluck
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Old 06-04-2012, 11:17 PM   #20
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Default Re: prefix letter on Ford Badges

No, I am sorry to say that I do not know them.

Thank you for the answer to my question.

Dick Munger
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