spike427 Posted July 20, 2017 Share #1 Posted July 20, 2017 Am wondering if anyone knows if a company or Jeweler named Hemmingson made wings for Air Corps as I have one I'll post pics of later but can't find any info on them?Sterling wing with gold US on shield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 20, 2017 Share #2 Posted July 20, 2017 Is it a full size pilot wing or smaller size? I've never heard of Hemmingson, but that doesn't mean much, all things considered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted July 20, 2017 Yes wing is 3 1/8th inch long.Fine feathered with gold US on shield so thought I would post as found at flea market...Pics coming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted July 20, 2017 Full size wing 3 1/8th inch in size with gold US on shield?Back marked Sterling with a number and Hemmingson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 20, 2017 Share #5 Posted July 20, 2017 I'm excited to see this wing. Sounds like a WWI wing and maybe a new variation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted July 20, 2017 Local find from a guy that was well known in town.I found some info on him as he developed aerial photography for the Air Corps early and has some mention at local training facility Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 20, 2017 Share #7 Posted July 20, 2017 You may want to do some digging around for Jewelry shops that have existed in your area.He could have had it custom made by a Jeweler,perhaps locally. Do they follow the pattern of any other known Wings from that era? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted July 21, 2017 Wing looks die struck and not custom.The name etc. are incised in the back like a standard production wing but came up with zip on this one and I don't know how to post pics with this thread now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ram957 Posted July 21, 2017 Share #9 Posted July 21, 2017 I found a Hemmingson Hardware in Moline, Il. It was in business at the start of the century.....perhaps they sold wings. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12511497/the_daily_times/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghcal Posted July 21, 2017 Share #10 Posted July 21, 2017 Someone help him get the pics up...the suspense is killing me lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 21, 2017 Share #11 Posted July 21, 2017 Me too! You can email the pictures to [email protected] and I can upload them for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ram957 Posted July 21, 2017 Share #12 Posted July 21, 2017 From trade envelope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted July 21, 2017 Share #13 Posted July 21, 2017 I'm excited to see this wing. Sounds like a WWI wing and maybe a new variation! I too eagerly look forward to seeing this wing. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Share #14 Posted July 21, 2017 From the image that ram957 posted,my feeling is that Hemmingson operated a hardware business.It's possible that he also made Wings,but unlikely IMO.(But then you never know what the "etc etc" included ) IF this is the correct Hemmingson,perhaps he procured Wings from other sources and had his name put on the back. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of things,just putting forth some idle banter as we all await the "unveiling" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ram957 Posted July 21, 2017 Share #15 Posted July 21, 2017 Just as an interesting side note..The Hemmingson Building ( although misspelled on the banner) is still standing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted July 21, 2017 Sent pics to pfrost so maybe he can load them for all to see.The back has a number maybe for the style of wing or catalog no. with Sterling and Hemmingson incised.They appear die struck as ther are not cast.They were on a card with name of the fellow "Lt.Col Sid Parks USAC" but strange style that I've never seen or even heard of the maker so another mystery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted July 21, 2017 Share #17 Posted July 21, 2017 Ok Patrick, its been like, 13 minutes! Whats the hold up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 21, 2017 Share #18 Posted July 21, 2017 Here you guys go. Sheesh.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike427 Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share #19 Posted July 21, 2017 Forgot to mention the back was really dark so I rubbed on the center to uncover the info on back....Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Share #20 Posted July 21, 2017 It's a good thing that you posted when you did Patrick,the mood of the crowd was turning ugly.We were sharpening our pitchforks and getting ready to light our torches. Seriously though,it is a handsome Wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 21, 2017 Share #21 Posted July 21, 2017 This is an interesting wing. I have seen this pattern in the "wing king's" collection, but I believe that the "US" on his wing is from a collar insignia (with periods after the U. and the S.). From what I can see from my archived pictures, Art's wing has the same type of catch as this one, but in the correct orientation. Usually the later style catch is a bad sign, but that being said, I have rarely seen WWI wings with this type of catch. I suspect that they may have been made postWWI, but that is just a guess. This wing is one that I believe is also faked (remember, not all WWI wings are faked, but this one is IMHO). If I recall correctly, this was a wing that was used by one of the WWI aces (Rickenbacker?) and so his wing was faked early one. I can't say I like the hallmark (if that is what it is)--that gives me some concern. But all things considered, I don't see any obvious signs that this wing is a casting. Very interesting. Better photos would help I think Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Share #22 Posted July 21, 2017 I found this: http://auctions.bidsquare.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/199/lot/73456/cowans-auctions-wwi-silver-pilots-wings-lot-of-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted July 21, 2017 Share #23 Posted July 21, 2017 I remember that auction. There were an interesting mix of good and fake wings with some mixing of a good and a bad wing/lot. It was my impression that the final prices realized pretty well reflected the feelings of the various collectors (including me) as to "authenticity" of what was being offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Share #24 Posted July 21, 2017 Here's the auction description and final price info: Lot closed - Sold for: $352.50Estimate:$800 - $1,200 Description: WWI Silver Pilot's Wings, Lot of 2 Two die-stamped examples; one numbered and maker marked "#0326 / HEMMINGSON;" pinback. Condition: Good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted July 21, 2017 Share #25 Posted July 21, 2017 So I'm guessing that the OP Wing and the auction Wing are one and the same?Or are there more than one of these Wings with that number? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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