Registry of The Bell Telephone Company of Canada Employee Badges.
Bell Canada archives has some in their inventory, amount and badge numbers unknown at this time.
125 Existing Bell Canada Badges in private collections.
The Bell Telephone Company of Canada Employee Identification Badges
The employee identification badges issued by the Bell Telephone Company of Canada provide a small but revealing window into the company’s early workforce and evolving hiring practices. Unfortunately, no complete official records from Bell Canada have been issued to confirm exact hiring dates. As a result, the time frames outlined below are based on material analysis, badge numbering, and informed historical estimation.
The earliest known badges, bearing three-digit numbers (001–999), are believed to date from approximately 1898 to 1919. These early examples were crafted from sterling silver and finished with enameled detailing, reflecting both the prestige of the company and the craftsmanship typical of the period.
By the early 1920s, Bell transitioned to four-digit badge numbers (1000–8999). These badges were manufactured from a copper and zinc alloy (brass) and retained their enameled surfaces. This change likely reflects both cost considerations and the rapid expansion of Bell’s workforce during this era.
Later examples, featuring four- and five-digit numbers (9000–21999), are estimated to have been produced between 1940 and 1968. These badges were made from brass with nickel plating and enamel, signaling a move toward more standardized, industrial production methods as Bell entered the mid-20th century.
Together, these badges serve not only as employee identifiers but also as tangible artifacts documenting the growth of Canada’s telecommunications infrastructure and the people who built it.
The Bell Telephone Company of Canada Employee Badge Estimated Issue Dates
Employee Badge #566 Estimated Issue Date 1900-1911
Manufacturer unknown possible Caron Bros. Montreal
with “STERLING” Makers Mark.
Badge Number 566 had the bottom clip repaired JAN 1/29
Date scratched into back of the badge.
Employee Badge #634 Estimated Issue Date 1903-1911
Manufactured by Caron Bros. Montreal with “STERLING” Makers Mark.
Employee Badge #2923 Estimated Issue Date 1911-1915
Manufactured by Caron Bros. Montreal with “CARONBROS MONTREAL” Makers Mark.
Employee Badge #3574 Estimated Issue Date 1920-1930
Manufactured by Caron Bros. Montreal with “CARONBROS INC MONTREAL” Makers Mark.
CARON FRERES/Caron Bros were a Montreal business founded in 1900 and produced enamelled sterling souvenir spoons, class pins, buttons, emblematic items and crested brooches, which displayed superb enamelling techniques. It would appear that this company went out of business around 1930.
Employee Badge #3174 Estimated Issue Date 1911-1915
Manufactured by J.R. Gaunt with “J.R.GAUNT” Makers Mark
Employee Badge #12616 Estimated Issue Date 1930’s-40’s
Manufactured by J.R. Gaunt with “J.R.GAUNT MONTREAL MADEINENGLAND” Makers Mark
Story of Bell Employee T.J. Logie
When T.J. Logie started in 1957 as a Cable Splicer in the Central & East Plant Construction Dept he was issued the Badge # 15479. He was assigned to work out of the 1057 Mountain St. Work Centre in Downtown Montreal. Badges were issued until the Mid 1960’s and then they were replaced with Photo Identification Card after that. The Badges had to be returned back to Bell.
