Fouled collar EGA's with dual H&H Imperial hallmarks

[Bob Hudson]

It has been speculated that after H&H took over Imperial in 1942, a dual hallmark was used up until 1943 or so. It has also been said that the Marine officers collar insignia had no anchor rope until after 1955.

 

This set of sterling EGA's has the rope and the dual hallmark...???

 

 

 

[usmcski]

I'd suspect that these are WWII vintage that, in order to continue use post 1955, some savvy Marine Officer had the ropes added. Very unique looking, that's for sure!

 

Semper Fi,

 

Ski

[Dozer521]

If you have Klie's book (USMC Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Emblem 1868 to 1963 Pictorial Guide) look at pg 295. It show a Officers Service Collar P1937 converted to meet the 1960 Regulation that required a rope on officer collar emblems. 1955 Enlisted regulations also required the added rope. This requirement is explained in the book.

[Bob Hudson]

I'd suspect that these are WWII vintage that, in order to continue use post 1955, some savvy Marine Officer had the ropes added. Very unique looking, that's for sure!

 

Semper Fi,

 

Ski

 

Thanks! I wondered about the light color wire used: couldn't recall ever seeing it before. There is a third collar piece that also has this modification (which doesn't seem to have changed the EGA itself. I had forgotten about the ropes being added later, so I thought the collar pieces belonged with an H&H sterling barracks cover piece and then changed my mind when I read about the 1955 changes.

 

So now I get to change it again

 

 

 

 

This is another modifed collar piece: this appears to me to be an early 1950's piece - but same light wire:

 

 

 

And here's a side-by-side with a post 1955 H&H piece, showing not only the difference in the wire, but also note the dot on the tip of the upper anchor fluke on the newer piece:

 

[Dozer521]

Please note: the 1955 Uniform Regulation required the rope applied to enlisted collar emblems only. The rope was not required by regulation on officer collar emblems until 1960 Uniform Regulations.

[Bob Hudson]

Please note: the 1955 Uniform Regulation required the rope applied to enlisted collar emblems only. The rope was not required by regulation on officer collar emblems until 1960 Uniform Regulations.

 

Thanks for that info.

[usmcaviator]

This is a quite frequent occurrence to find with WW2 pattern EGAs that were used well into the 1960's-1970's. Have found these modified in career groupings of Marines that spanned WW2-Vietnam. The Marine officer simply added the fouling.

 

Mike

[usmcski]

The authority on EGAs has spoken! Thanks for the valuable info Mike!

 

Semper fi,

 

Ski

[teufelhunde.ret]

Numerous examples like these and other period modified EGAs are shown in Klie's mammoth reference book.... the only period guide of emblems from its origin thru modern day!

 

[Brig]

Great to find a lifetime pair. I've owned examples, always singles, and most seem to be this pattern emblem, as well