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526 Battleaxe Patch - US Armored, RARE??


currahee506
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I have an Ike Jacket that a few people have told me is super rare. It bears a 526 Battleaxe Armored Patch.

 

I person mentioned this particular unit served as a security force for Patton.

 

Can someone enlighten me on this? ermm.gif

 

Thanks.

 

Rich R

Strongsville, Ohio, USA

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I have very little information on this unit. Here are a few comments from a website. Apparently they were the only Amored Infantry Battalion to get overseas. Their campaigns were Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Northern France, Rhineland. Left the US 19 March 1944, Arrived England 12 April 1944, Arrived France 24 August 1944, August 1945 in Wiesbaden, Germany (Order of Battle US Army WW2 by Shelby Stanton)

 

526th Armored Infantry Battalion

 

From http://history.sandiego.edu/news/article.p...021101103106880

 

"The battalion was the only American armored infantry battalion that trained with top secret Canal Defense Lights, a British armor-infantry tactic. They trained in one of the camps of General George Patton's Desert Training Center, and in Rosebush, Wales. The lights were never used in battle. Before and after the Battle of the Bulge the battalion was part of "T" Force, a 12th U.S. Army Group unit that would move into captured towns in Europe and seize material of intelligence value. They would take over factories, police stations and other government buildings. At times they would escort scientists and intelligence agents to pre-selected targets.

 

"One company of this battalion served as an honor guard for top Allied Generals. The battalion also guarded Nazi military and civilian officials in Weisbaden after the war."

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Assuming it's the 526th armor triangle with Battleaxe tab below (both in very thin woven silk-like material), it's a scarce patch, but not "super rare."

They come up on Ebay from time to time. The tab and triangle are separate, with the tab being the key part. Without tab, probably worth less than $100. With Battleaxe tab, probably $200 to $300. If it's on an id'd IKE with all the other "stuff", you certainly have a really nice item.

Kurt

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Assuming it's the 526th armor triangle with Battleaxe tab below (both in very thin woven silk-like material), it's a scarce patch, but not "super rare."

They come up on Ebay from time to time. The tab and triangle are separate, with the tab being the key part. Without tab, probably worth less than $100. With Battleaxe tab, probably $200 to $300. If it's on an id'd IKE with all the other "stuff", you certainly have a really nice item.

Kurt

 

Kurt:

 

Many, many thanks for the information. The patch is exactly as you describe and will be for sale soon, or trade if someone has the right 101st jacket!! For some reason I am having trouble posting photos, but when I get it figured out, I'll post a picture of the jacket. Thanks again. I love this site!! thumbsup.gif

 

Rich R

Strongsville, Ohio, USA

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Definately one I'd like to add to my collection.

 

I have also seen these made as one piece with the tab attached. Original German bevo.

 

They weren't the only Armored Infantry Battalion, they just happened to have a patch made up.

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Definately one I'd like to add to my collection.

 

I have also seen these made as one piece with the tab attached. Original German bevo.

 

They weren't the only Armored Infantry Battalion, they just happened to have a patch made up.

 

 

Add the picture Currahee! Or we'll send Caruso after you!

post-261-1170021250.jpg

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Jake;

I had heard he was collecting Marine corps stuff. Now armored stuff. I think we need to have an intervention. I heard he even drinks light beer. thumbdown.gif

 

Chris

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Jake;

I had heard he was collecting Marine corps stuff. Now armored stuff. I think we need to have an intervention. I heard he even drinks light beer. thumbdown.gif

 

Chris

 

 

Hey now....... Nothing wrong with armor OR light beer!!!! mad.gif

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Hey now....... Nothing wrong with armor OR light beer!!!! mad.gif

 

Hell thats why I collect 101st Airborne stuff! We drink calvados and our whiskey clear (or Sierra Nevadas). :D

 

Currahee506 can't figure out how to post pics yet and I was walking him through it. If the picture is offensive or out of topic I will be happy to delete it.

 

Thanks

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Hell thats why I collect 101st Airborne stuff! We drink calvados and our whiskey clear (or Sierra Nevadas). :D

 

Currahee506 can't figure out how to post pics yet and I was walking him through it. If the picture is offensive or out of topic I will be happy to delete it.

 

Thanks

 

:lol: The only thing offensive is seeing him dressed like a boxer. I have a hard time taking him seriously. :D

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Hell thats why I collect 101st Airborne stuff! We drink calvados and our whiskey clear (or Sierra Nevadas). :D

 

Currahee506 can't figure out how to post pics yet and I was walking him through it. If the picture is offensive or out of topic I will be happy to delete it.

 

Thanks

 

If I remember correctly, Chris missed out on the first annual meeting of the Calvados Club? Something about 'wanting to be fresh' the next day?? think.gif

 

Seriously, I cannot post pictures. Everytime I try, it says the files are too large. I've tried everything. Oh well.

 

Rich R

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If I remember correctly, Chris missed out on the first annual meeting of the Calvados Club? Something about 'wanting to be fresh' the next day?? think.gif

 

Seriously, I cannot post pictures. Everytime I try, it says the files are too large. I've tried everything. Oh well.

 

Rich R

 

Rich,

 

Send me a PM, and if you want you can send them to me and I'll post them for you. I'd love to see the patch and jacket. thumbsup.gif

 

I'll PM you.

 

Jim

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Here's Rich's patch.

 

And it's a dandy too!!! NICE!! thumbsup.gif

 

See Rich...I told you someone here on this AWESOME forum would have a squash that would make pictures work!

 

Jim, Rich said you can have the patch...he has plenty more where that came from! :)

 

Just kidding (on the patch)

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See Rich...I told you someone here on this AWESOME forum would have a squash that would make pictures work!

 

Jim, Rich said you can have the patch...he has plenty more where that came from! :)

 

Just kidding (on the patch)

 

 

Well, I'd be willing to fight that red headed guy for it. w00t.gif

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See Rich...I told you someone here on this AWESOME forum would have a squash that would make pictures work!

 

Jim, Rich said you can have the patch...he has plenty more where that came from! :)

 

Just kidding (on the patch)

 

As much as I love the jacket, it will be going on Ebay within the next day or two... that is, unless... someone has a nice 101st Jacket for trade???? :D

 

I have had a few very reputable/knowledgable collectors tell me that the patch alone is worth $500. w00t.gif We'll see.

 

Rich R

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  • 7 years later...
camelgreen44

I thought I'd resurrect this old post and see what comes up? I wanted to know more about the patch and how to get some information on a vet ? Yesterday I picked up a named Ike jacket with the bevo patch and tab on the RIGHT shoulder, 104th patch on the left, including ribbons and brass. Under the Ike was a matching shirt w/same patches. To make things better in the shirt pocket was a complete set of the same patches,unsewn . Anybody know how good these patches are nowadays?as this post dates from 2007. Any input appreciated. I can post some pics this afternoon if you would like. Thanks Denny

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These patches are still "good", but its seems like they sell for about the same or less now than they did seven years ago and certainly have not gone up in value. It would appear that the unit had a lot more of these made than originally thought and there appear to have been more than one Veterans estate to come on the market with multiple unissued patches. I think it is somewhat unusual to see even a nice set fetch $300.

 

In recent completed auction on ebay a unused set sold for $185 and just the triangle with no tab sold for less than $50. I bought an unused tab on ebay earlier this year and I think it cost me about $40.

 

-Vance

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camelgreen44

Thanks vzemke, I was hoping for better news, but it is what it is. I got everything for less than a bill,so I guess in quite happy.Denny

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Camelgreen would you be able to posts some pics of the jacket? I'm always interested in seeing anything 104th ID related. Tried PM'ing you but your inbox was full.

 

-Ben

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  • 1 month later...

My Father was in this unit and I actually know a few facts about these fine collectables. From March 1944 till VE Day, the men of the 526th wore a plain Armored Triangle without a number or tab to retain their "classified" status. After VE Day they received or made in theater patches with the number and a "tab" which read, "Battleaxe". I have mine displayed in a shadow box at home. The original plain variety is still on my Dad's tanker's jacket which is currently loaned out to a museum. In 1957 the Veterans formed the 526th Veterans Association and had a few hundred additional patches made. They are slightly thicker and more symmetrical than the ones that were made in the European Theater. My Dad wore his on the left shoulder of his combat, jump, jacket from the 82nd Airborne.

The two piece patches from Europe go from $500-$800 a pair!!! I have seen the one's made by the Assoc. anywhere from $100-$300 a pair. I have never seen any of the "plain" one's outside from other family member's collections. I hope that helps. Here is a shot of my dad wearing the "classified" version and the European postVE version

post-155013-0-91164400-1416089842.jpg

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My Father was in this unit and I actually know a few facts about these fine collectables. From March 1944 till VE Day, the men of the 526th wore a plain Armored Triangle without a number or tab to retain their "classified" status. After VE Day they received or made in theater patches with the number and a "tab" which read, "Battleaxe". I have mine displayed in a shadow box at home. The original plain variety is still on my Dad's tanker's jacket which is currently loaned out to a museum. In 1957 the Veterans formed the 526th Veterans Association and had a few hundred additional patches made. They are slightly thicker and more symmetrical than the ones that were made in the European Theater. My Dad wore his on the left shoulder of his combat, jump, jacket from the 82nd Airborne.

The two piece patches from Europe go from $500-$800 a pair!!! I have seen the one's made by the Assoc. anywhere from $100-$300 a pair. I have never seen any of the "plain" one's outside from other family member's collections. I hope that helps. Here is a shot of my dad wearing the "classified" version and the European postVE version

Very interesting! i would love to see photos of your dads stuff.

 

-Dave

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