62 replies to this topic

[Allan H.]

Nothing seems to kill a topic like my posting on it.

 

Allan

[baker502]

Your just showing off Allan .. lol

[Grant Bias]

Allan, outstanding collection!! Always enjoy seeing things that you post. As I mentioned earlier, I have seen only one (until you have posted your examples) 551st collar brass and it was block pattern in an officers estate. The only 509th I have seen was in a grouping that Bill Scott had at one time. Regards, Grant

[Brian D]

Allan, one of the finest collections of WWII AB officer collar brass I have ever seen and all in one post!  Not much more to say other than WOW.

[Allan H.]

Thanks all for the comments. These devices have truly been a passion of mine for many, many years. I never thought that it would be as difficulat has it has been to find nice, WWII examples. They are really hard to find. To make matters worse, you will see lots of post war brass being advertised as WWII. Yes, I have seen a few fakes, but these are usually ones made for reenactors that have been aged to look much older than they are. I've also seen a fair number of Meyer pieces that have had the numbered shields filed off to hide the fact that they aren't wartime.

 

If anyone wants a close up of any that I have, holler, and I'll accomodate.

 

Allan

[Allan H.]

Here are a couple of German made 502nd PIR devices that i believe are from the immediate post war era. Note they are not a matched pair. Interestingly enough, I had a mate for the one with the curved bar that came from a 502nd WWII veteran. Note that the numbers are affixed to each other on the second example and are not affixed to a bar.

 

Allan

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[Grant Bias]

Allen, I believe that this is the same or similar style that was on Dick Winters 506th dress uniform at the SOS last year.

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[warguy]

This is a great thread, I really have enjoyed it, and Allan what an amazing collection. Thought I would contribute my only set. Found these together in a small bowl of non military related pins and doo dads on a counter near the cash register in an antique store about 7 years ago. Couldn't pass up for $5.00. While I am concentrating mainly on USMC material nowadays, I love this little Riker mount display that sits on my shelf with other WWII US non Marine material. Kevin

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[hink441]

Here is a 505th PIR that is different from all the others I have seen. I have had this one for a few years and really don't know what to think.

Chris

[Steve Brannan]

Here's a 502nd in my collection. Meyer clutch back.

 

[Allan H.]

Chris,

My take on your brass is that it is WWII vintage, but that the numbers were added after the insignia was made. I am NOT saying that it is a fake. I would assume that a jeweler did the work for a 505th PIR officer who needed to have numbered brass.

 

Steve,

 

Your 502nd is just the way you want to see a WWII vintage piece of numbered brass.

Great pieces! Thanks for sharing them.


Allan

[Allan H.]

Here are a recent pair of infantry crossed rifles for the 327th Infantry Regiment. The brass is made by the L.G. Balfour Co. of Attleboro, Mass and are marked as 1/20 Gold Filled. The quality on these is impressive, though the numerals almost look like they are hand made. I would assume that the minor variation in size on the numbers is probably due to them getting snagged on something and slightly bent out of shape. The brass has very short clutch prongs and they show a lot of detail. I am quite sure that the officer who wore them was quite proud of them. They couldn't have been cheap.

 

Allan 

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[Allan H.]

Here is a better view of the maker's mark and the numbers. Note that they are attached to a small, round rod.

 

Allan

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Edited by Allan H., 13 November 2019 - 01:32 PM.