Two piece WWII Navigators wings

[mireks]

Hello all,

I have very nice 3" navigators wings, but have no idea about manufacturer or theatre where they have been produced.

 

As you can see, they are not sterling and have strange safety pin. They are two piece construction (wings + globe) and there is no halmark or stamping of any kind.

 

Do you have any idea about their origin?

 

thank

Mirek

 

[mireks]

reverse side

 

 

[Guest Photographer]

They used to be cluchback but it probly had a pin broke so some jewler afixed a pinback system to them. I don't think they are WWII but I could be wrong.

[mireks]

Hello Photographer,

I know, there are marks, where the clutches can be. However, they have never been applied there. I think it is common. I have more wings, where are such marks, but pins are somewhere else

 

Mirek

[QED4]

This badge was most likely made from the wings of an Aviation Cadet hat badge. I know the wings on the hat badge look bigger when the propeller in there but if you compare them side by side you will see they are the same. If you look at the edge where the globe is applied I bet you will see a indentation where the propeller goes. The small circles on the end or the wings are for the small pins that keep it from turning and the hole in the center was for the screw post that was fastened to the propeller to pas through. This was often done by the manufacturers to utilize parts they had laying around or they just did not want to make a new die. This is a legitimate WWII variation

[mireks]

QED4, you are right. The indentation is there, exactly as you described. Thanks for explanation. By the way, are you able to identify its original manufacturer?

[Ricardo]

This badge was most likely made from the wings of an Aviation Cadet hat badge. I know the wings on the hat badge look bigger when the propeller in there but if you compare them side by side you will see they are the same. If you look at the edge where the globe is applied I bet you will see a indentation where the propeller goes. The small circles on the end or the wings are for the small pins that keep it from turning and the hole in the center was for the screw post that was fastened to the propeller to pas through. This was often done by the manufacturers to utilize parts they had laying around or they just did not want to make a new die. This is a legitimate WWII variation

 

 

Hi,

 

Very good eyes!! One image:

 

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

[36-tex]

I would guess post-war made. The pin looks German made to me.

[GLM]

I would guess post-war made. The pin looks German made to me.

 

Other US made wartime insignia had this type of pin catch. Here is a mid to late war Econo-Lead Expert Rifle Badge I found in a soldier's grouping of insignia several years ago. While the wings are interesting, my bet would be straight up wartime US made.

 

Gary