World War 1 aviation collar insigna ?

[LtDan]

Hello,

I've recently begun looking for WW1 aviation items and picked up this collar insignia. I haven't seen others like it.......so I would appreciate any opinions/comments.

I'd also like to add an original set of pilot wings to my collection. I know they are expensive, and that there are lots of fakes out there. Any advice on where to look or reputable dealers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[hawk3370]

Hello,

I've recently begun looking for WW1 aviation items and picked up this collar insignia. I haven't seen others like it.......so I would appreciate any opinions/comments.

I'd also like to add an original set of pilot wings to my collection. I know they are expensive, and that there are lots of fakes out there. Any advice on where to look or reputable dealers would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

This type Air Service insignia was authorized by General Pershing on 27 April 1918. It was only authorized until 17 July 1918 at which time the wing and prop became the official insignia for the Air Service. The version of signal flags with small silver wing only was never authorized and was worn for a very short period of time stateside. The signal flags with wing and globe was only authorized in Europe. Due to the very short period of time (81) days it was not produced in any great numbers and as such is a very rare piece of insignia. All that being said, fakes abound and one needs to be extremely cautious when jumping into this area of collecting. As for the insignia that you posted, I would have to examine it in hand before I would venture to make a comment as to its originality. I would wait until the members with considerable knowledge in this area chime in. I personally don't see any flags based on the picture posted. As for places to look for original WW1 Aviation material there are several forum members that deal in those areas, a couple that come to mind are Griffin Military, Advance Guard and Bay State Military, there are others but being old and senile they don't pop into my mind right at this moment. I have found these three to be honest dealers and have come up with some really fine material. I would recommend that when you find a piece post it on the forum and get some opinions before throwing down a lot of money. Hope this helps some.

 

Terry

[cutiger83]

I don't know anything about the authenticity but just wanted to say this is a very beautiful and interesting piece. I have never seen these.

 

Thanks for posting....Kat

[LtDan]

 

This type Air Service insignia was authorized by General Pershing on 27 April 1918. It was only authorized until 17 July 1918 at which time the wing and prop became the official insignia for the Air Service. The version of signal flags with small silver wing only was never authorized and was worn for a very short period of time stateside. The signal flags with wing and globe was only authorized in Europe. Due to the very short period of time (81) days it was not produced in any great numbers and as such is a very rare piece of insignia. All that being said, fakes abound and one needs to be extremely cautious when jumping into this area of collecting. As for the insignia that you posted, I would have to examine it in hand before I would venture to make a comment as to its originality. I would wait until the members with considerable knowledge in this area chime in. I personally don't see any flags based on the picture posted. As for places to look for original WW1 Aviation material there are several forum members that deal in those areas, a couple that come to mind are Griffin Military, Advance Guard and Bay State Military, there are others but being old and senile they don't pop into my mind right at this moment. I have found these three to be honest dealers and have come up with some really fine material. I would recommend that when you find a piece post it on the forum and get some opinions before throwing down a lot of money. Hope this helps some.

 

Terry

Thanks Terry. I appreciate the information. I figured these were from the early days when aviation was under the signal corp....but did not know of the dates authorized, nor the difference between those worn in Europe & in the USA. That's very helpful information. Thanks also for providing names of a few reputable dealers.

BTW, This is my first post on this forum....and I can see it's going to be a great help & reference source for a collector.

Thanks again!

[cwnorma]

LtDan,

 

Like Terry, I don't see anything immediately to bring this collar insignia into question.

 

It appears as though this is a heretofore unseen pattern of this insignia (at least by me); perhaps others have seen this version? It has better detail and a higher level of design, especially in the winged globe, than most insignia of this type.

 

As Terry noted, these were only authorized for a very short period, and only in the AEF. These may have been a one-off made by a local jeweler.

 

You should post this over in the wing badges forum where all things aviation insignia related are discussed in detail.

 

Chris

[LtDan]

I don't know anything about the authenticity but just wanted to say this is a very beautiful and interesting piece. I have never seen these.

 

Thanks for posting....Kat

Thanks Kat. I hope to learn more about this piece.

[LtDan]

LtDan,

 

Like Terry, I don't see anything immediately to bring this collar insignia into question.

 

It appears as though this is a heretofore unseen pattern of this insignia (at least by me); perhaps others have seen this version? It has better detail and a higher level of design, especially in the winged globe, than most insignia of this type.

 

As Terry noted, these were only authorized for a very short period, and only in the AEF. These may have been a one-off made by a local jeweler.

 

You should post this over in the wing badges forum where all things aviation insignia related are discussed in detail.

 

Chris

 

Thanks for your comments Chris......and thanks for the suggestion. I'll post these pictures in the "Wing badges" forum.

 

Dan

[littlewilly]

I would agree with Chris. This badge is too nice to be issue. I would bet it is from a French jeweler, probably made in small numbers for sale in a shop near an aviation field in France. MHJ