nbolinger Posted August 21, 2016 Share #1 Posted August 21, 2016 ive had two of these this year and cant figure out weather they ever issued a badge with a straight pin on the back of were they all tie clips, im not talking about all of them just this large type with Higgins on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbolinger Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted August 21, 2016 pic 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 21, 2016 Share #3 Posted August 21, 2016 Have seen the clip or pin on various badges. One theory is th epin type were for enlisted and the clip type for Chiefs and officers as they wore a tie.I never have confined this with a vet though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted August 21, 2016 Share #4 Posted August 21, 2016 Very cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmdo Posted August 21, 2016 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2016 Nice tie clip though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMariner Posted August 22, 2016 Share #6 Posted August 22, 2016 Across the board with these it almost seems like the tie clips are more commonly seen, not just of higgins but of all PT boat badges ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted August 22, 2016 Share #7 Posted August 22, 2016 Nole...it's a tie clip...unless you wore a bolo or a bow tie...then you had a quandary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted August 22, 2016 Share #8 Posted August 22, 2016 Across the board with these it almost seems like the tie clips are more commonly seen, not just of higgins but of all PT boat badges ! Agreed. Probably more for an employee than used on a military uniform. Navy Chiefs were/are sticklers for uniform erg's.I can't imagine one wearing it as part of his uniform, but I have been wrong before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29navy Posted August 22, 2016 Share #9 Posted August 22, 2016 These were not issue or uniform items and not authorized to wear as a qualification badge. Some of these were given to crews as the squadrons were commissioned (but not all got them) or were private purchase. This goes for the ELCO boats, also. As a tie clip, it was OK to wear, particularly since most of the time they wore a jacket as part of the uniform (Khaki, Blues, CPO whites). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbolinger Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted August 23, 2016 Thanks for the help on the badge. Thanks all for your time. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted August 23, 2016 Share #11 Posted August 23, 2016 I always thought these type with the big company name were for employees who worked on the project. -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted August 23, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 23, 2016 Here is my Elco. I have a book that came out late in WWII describing what it would be like going through PT school. On the last page of the book it shows a group of students in class taking notes...most all of them are wearing PT clips on their ties. Clearly not an item of issue, but a great piece. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted August 23, 2016 Share #13 Posted August 23, 2016 Box. PS- Great thread and information...but shouldn't it be in a more appropriate section where more people could appreciate it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted August 23, 2016 Share #14 Posted August 23, 2016 wow never seen a box... thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted August 23, 2016 Share #15 Posted August 23, 2016 wow never seen a box... thanks for posting! Same here. I'm sure the box is RARER than the clip, not that the clip is rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted August 24, 2016 Share #16 Posted August 24, 2016 I've never seen anyone in uniform wearing these pins--and I'm not sure they were actually authorized by the USN. However, there are about 10 different variations (including different patterns for the different boat manufacturers -- Higgins, ELCO, Vosper, Harbor Boat, etc..) out there. Frankly, the number of PT boat pins probably vastly outnumbers the sailors who were stationed on those ships. Also, many of the PT boats were sent to the UK and Russia as part of the Lend/Lease program. I think only a few of the Higgen's boats were used in the MTBRONs and the Vospers were contracted to be made for the UK in the States. I had heard that these pins and tie clasps were primarily given out to the boat workers, family members and dignitaries rather than actually procured as part of USN uniform and insignia issues. Still, they are a great collectible item. Here are some of mine and related items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted August 24, 2016 Share #17 Posted August 24, 2016 I cropped the photo a bit, but here is the pic I was eluding to in my previous post. PT students at Melville can clearly be seen to be wearing PT Boat tie clips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted August 24, 2016 Share #18 Posted August 24, 2016 Great post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 24, 2016 Share #19 Posted August 24, 2016 Thats a great picture Also looks like the two students in the fore front are officers by the bar on the collar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 25, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 25, 2016 I cropped the photo a bit, but here is the pic I was eluding to in my previous post. PT students at Melville can clearly be seen to be wearing PT Boat tie clips. Nicely done John! There's nothing like photographic evidence in this line of collecting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 25, 2016 Share #21 Posted August 25, 2016 Box. PS- Great thread and information...but shouldn't it be in a more appropriate section where more people could appreciate it? This thread moved to the "Badges & Awards" section for additional comments and exposure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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