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WW2 101,502,503 patch group on ebay


mortaydc60
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Been watching this lot #152786163687 which is now over $2800. The prize is the leather 502 jacket patch. Have not seen one for years and apparently very real by the people bidding,in particular one of the most advanced airborne people around. My estimate is that the 502 leather alone is worth atleast the current bid. Is the seller better of selling each item separately or as in this group?

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When the auction came on I emailed the seller and told him he had at least $4000 on his hands and that he should split them up. I told him I could give him descriptions but bidding quickly went to $500 so he decided to keep it.

 

Also, there is the rectangular red airborne tab with the corresponding wider 101st (similar to the OD border size). A great lot.

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Thanks for posting the pic of the lot. Steve you gave him good advice because this was going to take deep pockets to win but with so many good patches it will limit the number of bidders to Trump size pockets. Your estimate is good but maybe too low depending on what someone thinks the leather is worth. We have seen prices in recent history on all except the leather patch. The winner eventually will probably sell everything except the leather atleast that is what logic is telling me.

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I hate to see anything broken up, though in this case since the items have no known connection, it might happen. Personally, I'd sure keep it together.

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Steve,

 

The red A/B patch goes with a 101 patch?

 

I wonder what ever happened to the original owner?

 

 

Yes, according to the Keller Brothers. My airborne book is at work, but they have it listed as a combo for an early 101st Engineer units. Maybe 326th?

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/236548-326th-allied-engineer-airborne-aeb-tab/?hl=%2B326th+%2Bengineer

 

 

The circled 101st is the same size as the OD variation and this tab fits exactly over it.

 

post-122868-0-61583000-1511040995_thumb.jpg

 

This red airborne tab is only the 3rd one on ebay in the past 5 years.

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IMHO. Going rates on ebay. Some of the 101st could be green backs and generate more money for seller. I know patch dealers hate me putting prices on things but these prices are what I have seen. The PIR patches currently have BINs on ebay but these are mint....come with better provenance that something out of the wood work. It is what it is.

 

I think the 326th AEB combo is hard to find and that tab like rarer than a hens tooth.

 

post-122868-0-35369600-1511218405_thumb.jpg

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Also note that the 502nd PIR on twill is considered to be a US made one. Both 503rd are from the first batch and either US or English, though thought to be English made.

 

Read http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/288246-503rd-patch-picture-help/?hl=503rd for the difference in 1st edition vs boots (page 119 Emblems of Honor). Like tredhed2 stated, buy some Keller books for Christmas.

 

I would like Allan H to chime in on the 326th AEB insignia as he is incredibly knowledgeable about US airborne insignia and owns one of these tabs.

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Problem with those 503rd patches is they are not an easy sell @ $500 or maybe even $400. Someone REALLY wanted that leather pocket patch and didn't care what it cost them, that's the real story. There has and always will be individuals who simply do not care what they have to pay for a piece they want and that's all that happened here.

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I have maintained that the "straight" red and white Airborne tab was designed to be worn with the OD border 101st SSI. This patch was later made without an OD border which is what you are seeing on the auction. I believe this larger example of the 101st SSI to be the second patch made for the 101st. There are standard tabs made for this larger patch, but both the SSI and the black and gold tab are really tough to find. I have also maintained for many years that the red and white tab was made for the 326th Airborne Engineers. At about the same time that this tab came out, the 127th Airborne Engineers of the 11th Airborne Division came out with their own tab= a white tab with red lettering. These are EXTREMELY rare. The 11th brought out a second wav of these white tabs with red lettering in the early 1950's. They are tough to find, but once you've seen a WWII vintage piece, you'll understand the difference.

 

I've had three of the red straight tabs over the years. The last one I let go for $400 to a friend. I wouldn't have let one go for that if I was just selling it at SOS. My personal opinion is that the tab is probably a $500 piece now that the attribution is out there. The oversized 101st patches- OD border- an easy $1,000. The second pattern- $200 to $250.

 

For what it is worth- I valued the leather 502nd at $2,000. The embroidered 502nd SSI is a $550 to $600 patch and this one is US made. The English made examples have black bobbin thread and they FADE terribly.

 

I'd welcome any additional comments.

 

Allan

 

Quick add on here- I have had a number of collectors contact me about wanting to buy a red straight tab. They are VERY desirable and I am sure that the market will dictate higher values now that the tab has been identified as 326th Airborne Engineer.

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Quick add on here- I have had a number of collectors contact me about wanting to buy a red straight tab. They are VERY desirable and I am sure that the market will dictate higher values now that the tab has been identified as 326th Airborne Engineer.

 

Allan, I'm just curious. Has there ever been any photographs of the AB Engineers wearing the tab? Would be cool to see one in a studio portrait.

 

Alex

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Alex,

 

I have one photo of the tab being worn, but would have to see if I can get my hands on it. There is a forum member here who has one on a uniform ID'd to a 326th vet who left the 326th before they went overseas. Interestingly enough, the tab is sewn above a "smaller" (standard size) example of the 101st SSI.

 

Allan

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tdogchristy90

Not to hijack but when I saw this thread title my gut immediately went to "there's a 100 million patches collection being sold?" "Who has the time to collect a 100 million patches?" Lol.

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Alex,

 

I have one photo of the tab being worn, but would have to see if I can get my hands on it. There is a forum member here who has one on a uniform ID'd to a 326th vet who left the 326th before they went overseas. Interestingly enough, the tab is sewn above a "smaller" (standard size) example of the 101st SSI.

 

Allan

The uniform with the tab over the smaller 101st is on page 66 of Emblems of Honor

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Alex,

 

I have one photo of the tab being worn, but would have to see if I can get my hands on it. There is a forum member here who has one on a uniform ID'd to a 326th vet who left the 326th before they went overseas. Interestingly enough, the tab is sewn above a "smaller" (standard size) example of the 101st SSI.

 

Allan

The uniform with the tab over the smaller 101st is on page 66 of Emblems of Honor

 

 

Mods please delete this duplicate poat

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From the above information the buyer paid in the neighborhood of $3000 for the leather patch. Looking at past sales on ebay and my experience at shows the 503 are closer to 350-400 range. The 502 is 500-550 and sadly I sold my red tab too cheap. Overall Steve did an excellent job in his appraisal and Allan information was as usual superb.

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BigDogMilitaria

I have maintained that the "straight" red and white Airborne tab was designed to be worn with the OD border 101st SSI. This patch was later made without an OD border which is what you are seeing on the auction. I believe this larger example of the 101st SSI to be the second patch made for the 101st. There are standard tabs made for this larger patch, but both the SSI and the black and gold tab are really tough to find. I have also maintained for many years that the red and white tab was made for the 326th Airborne Engineers. At about the same time that this tab came out, the 127th Airborne Engineers of the 11th Airborne Division came out with their own tab= a white tab with red lettering. These are EXTREMELY rare. The 11th brought out a second wav of these white tabs with red lettering in the early 1950's. They are tough to find, but once you've seen a WWII vintage piece, you'll understand the difference.

 

I've had three of the red straight tabs over the years. The last one I let go for $400 to a friend. I wouldn't have let one go for that if I was just selling it at SOS. My personal opinion is that the tab is probably a $500 piece now that the attribution is out there. The oversized 101st patches- OD border- an easy $1,000. The second pattern- $200 to $250.

 

For what it is worth- I valued the leather 502nd at $2,000. The embroidered 502nd SSI is a $550 to $600 patch and this one is US made. The English made examples have black bobbin thread and they FADE terribly.

 

I'd welcome any additional comments.

 

Allan

 

Quick add on here- I have had a number of collectors contact me about wanting to buy a red straight tab. They are VERY desirable and I am sure that the market will dictate higher values now that the tab has been identified as 326th Airborne Engineer.

 

great post Allan. Thanks for taking the time to add this

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Yes, the same seller is selling several other bullion items. This 101st and 13th AB both came out with BINs at $400. The 13th already sold.

 

post-122868-0-66084500-1511544895_thumb.jpg

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