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Opinions on these pilots wings I picked up today


Gerradtgrant
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Gerradtgrant

I own several different pilots Wings, I have not come across any of this variation. They are 3" approximately as I am not at home. They don't seem to be as wide through the wing area as the others I own. Sterling marked no makers mark. Any opinions are always appreciated!

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Gerradtgrant

Look cast to me.

What should I look for on the wing to confirm?

 

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Gerradtgrant

Awesome news. At least I didn't break the bank on this one. What do I look for in the future? Thanks for the help always appreciated!

 

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I understand the difference between insignia but cast or die struck, but not being a wing collector, what would it mean if the wings were cast? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

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I was looking for the thread where we discussed this pattern. I think many collectors now consider these to be sweetheart wings rather than 1930's vintage pilot wings. I have yet to see a vintage photo of anyone wearing these in uniform (although I have a nice picture of them being worn by a wife of a soldier). They sometimes have the hallmark BB&B Bronze.

 

These are frequently seen as cast fakes (as this one is--sorry). Most wings that are fake, are made from a mold from an existing wing. This is one of those fakes.

 

Patrick

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http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/227356-1930s-bb-b-pattern-pilot-wing-winner-or-loser/?hl=1930%26%2339%3Bs&do=findComment&comment=1803459

 

Here is one thread talking about these wings. They are rather common (all things considered), but I have always felt that they are WWII vintage sweetheart wings, not prewar/30's vintage pilot wings. And, as I said, I have never seen a vintage photo of any military pilot wearing this pattern wing.

 

and another thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/226278-post-ww1-pilot-wing/

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Gerradtgrant

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/227356-1930s-bb-b-pattern-pilot-wing-winner-or-loser/?hl=1930%26%2339%3Bs&do=findComment&comment=1803459

 

Here is one thread talking about these wings.  They are rather common (all things considered), but I have always felt that they are WWII vintage sweetheart wings, not prewar/30's vintage pilot wings.  And, as I said, I have never seen a vintage photo of any military pilot wearing this pattern wing.

 

and another thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/226278-post-ww1-pilot-wing/

Thank you for all of your help and knowledge! I will have to be more careful next time

 

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I agree with the others that the wing shown appears on my computer screen to be cast and therefore a reproduction. I have one of these wings in my collection that I am pretty sure is an original from the period. Mine also has jeweler quality detailing on each wing and the many carved parallel lines background in the shield that are hard to show in a photo since they are so small. Also mine has a back that is as flat as a mirror. All of these point toward it being die struck with some very detailed and engraved dies.

 

The thoughts that these are sweetheart wings makes sense as they seem to be too finely made for being just an ordinary issued wing, though I can imagine that they could have been worn by some pilots during the 1920s or 1930s who wanted to have the best looking wing they could afford. In either case, I like them.

 

Here are some photos of mine:

post-166073-0-24964900-1490459838.jpg

post-166073-0-54828100-1490459860.jpg

post-166073-0-46671900-1490459861.jpg

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