Colonel's Eagles

[BBG]

Hello,

 

Are the top two colonel's eagles good? There both die struck. The first one is marked silver, the second one is silver plated.

 

 

 

[BBG]

The bottom left one is back marked, but it hard to read. I think the top line says "Enfield & Barkin".

 

[BBG]

Here's a better shot of the bottom left eagle.

 

[MastersMate]

The top two do not have the national shield on the eagle. Did the Army eagle have the shield ?? The USN used metal pins for the shoulder straps on the white uniform for a time around 1913. Other uses were the embroidered insignia.. When did they adopt the use of metal collar insignia for khaki shirts, Did they change their eagle design then ??

[MastersMate]

Eagle coule also be the USMC design of the early 1900s..

[Justin B.]

Yeah, the eagles without shields were Navy Department, but only the USMC wore the metal pin devices. There was a period in 1913 when the USN was going to change to metal devices for whites, but that was shut down before it could take much effect. On the old standup-collar service blues, USN captains wore a similar eagle design, but they were always embroidered.

 

I am not an expert, but the pin catches on the top two look a little later than I tend to associate with those USMC devices. I would be interested to hear more about them from someone with more experience.

 

Justin B.

[MastersMate]

Note of interest. The eagle has the arrows in its right, or forward facing talon and the olive branch in the left. Opposite from the eagle in the US coat of arms, Perhaps because the eagle, as depicted was a military rank device, and its business was war. Somewhere in our history the design changed to reflect the Arms of the US with the olive branch in the right talon..

[BBG]

Thanks for all the information.

 

All I can find on these eagles is from this thread: www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/86287-early-colonel-birds/

 

There listed and illustrated in 1912 USMC Uniform Regulations on Plate 24.