Another example of a glidertrooper wing jeweler modification to deceive

[Tonomachi]

This glidertrooper wing is currently up for bid on eBay. Someone took an inexpensive current hallmarked N.S. Meyer glidertrooper wing and had a jeweler remove the rear clutch back pins and replace them with a convincing pin back assembly. They then added a combat assault star with a unique nut which is what caught my eye as it confirms my suspicions that an AMICO hallmarked glidertooper wing I purchased a couple of years ago is also a fake (see link below - expensive lesson learned). This time the jeweler didn't bother to remove the original hallmarks of N.S. MEYER INC. NEW YORK with their shield logo and a second shield with their alpha numeric 1960s era code of 22 over M. It is described as a rare original WW2 glider wing with battle star from an 82nd Airborne Estate. The seller may believe this as they probably got it from someone else and does not realize that they are selling a fake. FYI

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/293745-amico-marked-glider-trooper-wing/?hl=glidertrooper&do=findComment&comment=2362935

 

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Here is the glidertrooper wing that the jeweler started off with and modified for someone. Notice the slight dimpling behind the nose of the glider that is present on both fakes.

 

 

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Back

 

 

[11/17thark]

The pin is also reversed.

[Glidertrooper]

I saw this on eBay this morning and was going to post it to your original thread tonight. The seller estateman79 is well discussed on this forum for put together uniforms and groupings. Certainly best avoided.

 

Cheers......John

[mtnman]

The pin is also reversed.

Again, Like the Jump wing shown by T earlier, this is the first thing I noticed was totally off, the pin assembly. Reminds me of the NAME of a band that opened for Robert Plant for his first solo alum tour which, being a Zeplin' fan, of course I did NOT miss...... CHEAP TRICK

[WWIIinterviews]

Never seen a combat star attached that way. Good eye!

[Allan H.]

One of the things that you find with the prolific fakers is that they tend to do one or two things that are unique to their fakery- a signature if you will. In this case, the nut on the back side of the glider badge is a tell. I have seen this same nut on the back side of jump wings too. I have NEVER seen one attached like this in the hands of a veteran.

 

One of the prolific fakers from the 1980's not only had his own maker's mark for his fake jump wing, but he also had an arrowhead device that looked like a Christmas tree. Once you have seen one, you will never mistake it for a vintage arrowhead device. This faker also would put either one or two jump stars on his wings.

 

Pay close attention to oddities on these faked wings and you will find that those oddities will carry over to other wings which will end up saving you money in the end.

 

Allan

[Kadet]

I agree that these are fake...one of many fakes from this seller. The crazy thing is this though; why go to the trouble and expense to modify the pin on a post war example when originals can be had for a very reasonable price and would be much harder to detect? In fact, the post war CB Meyer marked glider pin he modified might actually be more rare/harder to find than the WWII pin back examples.

[cwnorma]

...why go to the trouble and expense to modify the pin on a post war example when originals can be had for a very reasonable price and would be much harder to detect?

 

Because these people are sociopathic. They take joy in fleecing people. Hanging a ridiculously bad item on a pigeon gives them bragging rights with the other sociopaths. The more ridiculous the better.

 

Caveat emptor. Always seek out honest people in the hobby and let them know who the dishonest ones are.