triplecanopy Posted July 18, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 18, 2018 Officer’s Equipment Company introduced a distinctly different Parachute Badge design that was a unique departure from General Yarborough’s original drawing. Yet it must have appealed to some since different manufacturers made it over a period of years and in both sterling and silver plated versions. Shown here are several examples of Parachute Wings made by Officer’s Equipment Company. The business was located in Madison, New Jersey and was started during WWII and reportedly went out of business in the early 1980’s with the passing of the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent E. Puma. Later wings were hallmarked OEC and a number. They also had a IOH number of O-22 although none of that marking are shown here. It appears that their peak years of operation were after WWII and mostly during the post war/Korean War period. They also made wings for the US Marine Corps. One of the interesting features of these jump wings is the faint outline of the back edge of the parachute canopy visible through the suspension lines. It can be seen best with a magnifying glass. Other examples are shown below. Your comments are welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted July 18, 2018 Here is the reverse side of the OEC master parachutist badge. Note the attachment of the wreath and star. This is a pinback example but OEC also made clutchback wings too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted July 18, 2018 Illustrated here are later examples of OEC jump wings. As indicated on the original card these were made for the US Marine Corps and have a serial number of 15-81. These examples return to the authorized design approved in 1941. I have seen these OEC numbered wings repackaged by another vendor since OEC went out of business, so they may occasionally be found on a different manufacturer's card, but still marked OEC 15-81. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted July 18, 2018 Another interesting fact is that the OEC unique design was also made by Hilborn and Hamburger as evidenced by these wings marked with the H-H eagle and STERLING with SER 307. Same exact design. Without the IOH number, this must be from the 1950's. I wonder if H&H made the metal badges and OEC sold them under their business name? How many variations are out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 19, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 19, 2018 Two more examples of Officer's Equipment Company parachute badges are shown here. The top one has had the hallmark almost completely obliterated. It can still be barely seen with a glass, but why? I have seen other examples of this makers marks getting this treatment. Some Orber badges have also their hallmark disfigured on occasion. Possibly when OEC was bought out by another manufacturer. The bottom wings are another mystery. They are well marked with the hallmark, but the front side is very different. Take a look at the next frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 19, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted July 19, 2018 Top badge is the abused master wings shown above and the bottom badge is the same OEC marked basic wings as above. The front is buffed completely smooth. I have heard this called " Fayetteville Rubbed". This does not look like it was done by years of polishing but rather I believe it was made this way. That is it for now. Just wanted to share these with you and see if any more variations are out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplecanopy Posted July 25, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted July 25, 2018 Now here is a questionable set of wings. Marked as Luxenberg, it is obvious that these wings were made with the same type die and design as the Officer's Equipment Company jump wings. But... who made them? Are they authentic? Photos came from a previous posting by Allan H. Some thought that these are real and others have doubts. I don't know, but since they use the same wing pattern, I will post them here for further discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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