trenchbuff Posted January 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 11, 2011 As primarily a US WWI collector, one of my favorite areas has always been shoulder patches. In my opinion, some of the most beautiful patches are those that incorporate bullion into the design. I thought I would start a thread on WW1 bullion patches and add to it as I have the time. I'll start off with just a general overview and a few patches from my collection. I'm hoping that other WW1 patch collectors will be able to add their bullion pieces and try to grow the thread into an interesting reference. As Most WWI patch collectors know already, the shoulder patch or SSI saw its first widespread use following the Armistice on 11 November 1918. Some references say the 81st Division was the first to have their distinctive shoulder insignia approved by GHQ, but I'm sure there are those who will argue that point. At any rate the result was a bonanza for collectors as there are literally hundreds of divisional and unit patches available to grow a nice collection. The troops in Europe had lots of time on their hands waiting for transport to the good old USA and performing occupation duty (most didn't start home until well into 1919) and designed some really great patches. That along with the French, German and Italian craftsmen who actually made a great many of the patches, resulted in what I consider some little works of art. For anyone beginning a WWI patch collection you need to be aware of fakes. There's lots of them and some pretty good ones too. Like any other military collectible, where there is money involved there are fakes and fakers. From personal experience and some costly mistakes I use a few guidelines to keep me out of trouble. 1) Buy reference books. Don't rely on everyone else to tell you what's good or bad. Learn yourself. There's a few good books on the market including a great series by the Keller brothers. There's also a book on strictly patches of the AEF by Dalessandro and Knapp. You might also consider joining ASMIC. It's a great organization and publishes a wonderful magazine which includes lots of info on WW1 shoulder patches. 2) Know who you're buying from and ask if they provide a money back guarantee. Thanks to this forum the world has shrunk for dealers with bad reputations. 3) Provenance! If you can get photos of a soldier wearing the patch or information directly from a family member, it helps give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. To me, a patch is a piece of history, just like any piece of militaria. The more background you have the more you're in touch with the history. 4) I always carry an ultra violet lite with me when I'm patch hunting. It may not be a foolproof method, but I don't buy patches that glow. I know it has saved me money. 5) If you see a beautiful patch that you need, and you trust the dealer, buy it! If you wait and come back latter it will probably be gone. WWI patches, especially bullion, are in great demand and there are some pretty hardcore collectors looking for them. I can't always remember what I paid for a patch, but I remember the ones I missed out on because I hesitated. Anyway, that's just my personal opinion and philosphy. So let's get started and I hope there's enough interest on the forum to get some collectors to add their bullion patches to the thread. If not, I hope you enjoy the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted January 11, 2011 Here are 2 finely made pieces. The patch on the left was used by soldiers assigned to the II Corps Headquarters. Units of the II Corps served on the British front and as a result used the eagle and lion in its design. Many collectors consider the patch on the right to be one of the most beautiful patches of WWI. This one was used by soldiers of the 332nd infantry regiment. There are also variations of the Lion of St. Mark design used by the American Ambulance Service and American Red Cross in Italy. Some dealers call bullion patches "officer's" patches. My experience has shown that there really was no regulation dictating who could wear bullion patches. It just depended on what the soldier could get his hands on. Here are two bullion 77th Division patches. One is on an enlisted man's jacket and the other on an officer's jacket. So as far as I can tell, there really are no "officer" patches. This patch is from the officer's jacket. I personally consider this patch one of the more well made and beautiful of the WW1 bullion patches. It was worn by soldiers assigned to the Central Records Office, the big clearing house for all AEF records. This one is a little bigger than the average Central Records patch and came off a patch blanket someone cut up. Sure would love to have gotten to the blanket before it was cut up. This rattlesnake patch was from the 369th Infantry Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters". It was an all black regiment assigned to the French Army and saw lots of combat. It is one of the harder shoulder patches to find and is highly faked. It took many years to find one I could be sure was original. The bullion symbol on this patch represents a duckboard and was worn by troops assigned to Camp Pontanezon France. It was a huge camp for incoming and outgoing troops and was almost always muddy during the rainy season, so duckboards provided a walkway for soldiers moving around. Many US Marines were assigned to Camp Pontanezan and could possibly have worn this patch. I have not however, seen a Marine uniform or photo of a Marine wearing one, so I can't verify that. This will be my last posting for today and will continue to add when I get a chance. Hopefully there'll be some interest. This patch came with the soldier's dogtags and he was traced to the 56th Engineers (searchlight) roster. It's a good thing too because it's a variation of the 56th patch that I had never seen before. It is a French made piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted January 11, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 11, 2011 This will be my last posting for today and will continue to add when I get a chance. Hopefully there'll be some interest. This patch came with the soldier's dogtags and he was traced to the 56th Engineers (searchlight) roster. It's a good thing too because it's a variation of the 56th patch that I had never seen before. It is a French made piece. Yes, please do keep adding as these are truly beautiful SSI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted January 12, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 12, 2011 The bullion symbol on this patch represents a duckboard and was worn by troops assigned to Camp Pontanezon France. It was a huge camp for incoming and outgoing troops and was almost always muddy during the rainy season, so duckboards provided a walkway for soldiers moving around. Many US Marines were assigned to Camp Pontanezan and could possibly have worn this patch. I have not however, seen a Marine uniform or photo of a Marine wearing one, so I can't verify that. Years ago, I saw a photo of a Marine wearing the Army uniform (EGA visible on his overseas cap) wearing the Camp Pontanezon patch. I too have never seen one on a Forrest Green uniform, and believe they may have been supplanted by the various 5th Brigade patches. Unfortunately, I do not own the photo and the guy who showed it to me is dead. I don't know what became of the photo. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagjetta Posted January 12, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 12, 2011 Great patches. Truly some stellar pieces. Thanks for taking the time to post and share. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted January 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 12, 2011 Aloha Trenchbuff, I always liked that 79th Division piece and glad to see it again. Some of the piece that I didn't get rid of and maintained in the collection is this Railway Artillery Reserve patch. It incorporates some nice bullion features and heavy silk cord highlights. Mahalo, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted January 12, 2011 Aloha Trenchbuff, I always liked that 79th Division piece and glad to see it again. Some of the piece that I didn't get rid of and maintained in the collection is this Railway Artillery Reserve patch. It incorporates some nice bullion features and heavy silk cord highlights. Mahalo, John John, I can see why you kept this one. Without a doubt the most beautiful RAR patch I've seen. Thanks very much for posting it. Maybe we'll see a few more from other collectors. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted January 13, 2011 Here are two 41st Division variations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 13, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 13, 2011 Aloha Trenchbuff, I always liked that 79th Division piece and glad to see it again. Some of the piece that I didn't get rid of and maintained in the collection is this Railway Artillery Reserve patch. It incorporates some nice bullion features and heavy silk cord highlights. Mahalo, John John: That is BY FAR the finest RAR patch I have EVER, EVER seen. And I've owned a lot of RAR stuff...amazing!!!!!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 13, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 13, 2011 Here are a couple I had in my collection...I can add more as I find the pics... Another... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted January 13, 2011 Great additions Dave! Can't see enough of those bullion beauties! Thanks much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel griffin Posted January 13, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 13, 2011 Here is the SSI for the Hospital Center at Kerehoun. A few more 79th Here is a 2nd Division that I really think is WWI or occupation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted January 13, 2011 Here is a 2nd Division that I really think is WWI or occupation. Patches just don't get much better than that Dan!!! Thanks so much for the contribution to the thread!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted January 13, 2011 I picked this hospital at Aignan patch up from Dan Griffin at a Denver ASMIC show a couple years ago. It uses bullion cord for the windmill design. Here are a couple of 17th FA, 2nd Division patches that use a bullion brocade strip to represent a driving band on a shell. Also, the 1st battalion example has a bullion cord border around the star. One last post from me for 1/13. This 2nd Battalion 6th Regiment USMC Patch I believe to be German made. Again it has the same bullion rope border as the 17th FA patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel griffin Posted January 13, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 13, 2011 I sure like that red 17th! Here are a few more. Ambulance 8th Division 82nd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted January 14, 2011 This is a postal and courier service bullion patch. I believe this one to be French made. ...and a couple more 82nd Division patches. The one still on the uniform was worn by a corporal who was wounded by a machine gun in the Argonne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvandehoef Posted January 14, 2011 Share #17 Posted January 14, 2011 Very cool patches! Compliments trenchbuff! Since you're the expert: do you know if there are any WW1 4th Division bullion patches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted January 14, 2011 Very cool patches! Compliments trenchbuff! Since you're the expert: do you know if there are any WW1 4th Division bullion patches? I've yet to find a WW1 bullion 4th Division patch, but I'm still looking! Thanks for your nice comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel griffin Posted January 14, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 14, 2011 Another postal A few polar bears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mars&thunder Posted January 15, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 15, 2011 Here is mine - 78th Division (Captain's bars are bullion as well). He was in the 307th FA. Have a second uniform from him that has same patch. Out of an estate sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel griffin Posted January 16, 2011 Share #21 Posted January 16, 2011 An uncommon patch , Educational Corps 369th Infantry Some more Central Records Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagjetta Posted January 16, 2011 Share #22 Posted January 16, 2011 I have really enjoyed this thread. Each time I view it, I think to myself, "Boy, I don't have ANY bullion in my collection to share." Tonight I spent some time in my office looking at my collection and even though the Tank Corps is not known for their bullion insignia, I did find some slight contenders for the distinction. (Note: I can't really take credit for discovering these...I think each one was originally owned by Dan Griffin, so many thanks to Dan for steering these in a direction that would eventually lead to my collection!) The first patch in on the uniform of DSC winner, Capt. Newell Phipps Weed. The wool felt Tank Corps insignia is outlined in silver bullion tape (likely German-made). My second "bullion" Tank Corps patch is on the tunic of an unidentified Tank Corps tunic. Lots of discussion about what unit is represented by this patch (most agree it is a brigade patch), but I haven't seen anything conclusive that would allow me to say it is the patch of the "xxx Bn." or "xxx Brigade". And finally, the third patch that I felt I could contribute to this thread is a French motorized artillery specialist patch on the tunic of a 340th Regiment, 85th Division tunic. The third battalion of the 340th took training in light tank operation while in France. It is not uncommon to find 85th tunics with a French specialist patch like this or even on embroidered on horizon blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted January 16, 2011 Share #23 Posted January 16, 2011 This image of my past collection was buried in another post on bullion patches but it seems more approperiate to have it here. Several of the patches I've kept like the RAR, Reserve Mallet, 82nd Div, Central Records, etc...Some of those that I did sell off (which is about 75% of what is in this image) I notice are here in this post. It's good to see them in both Dan's and Mark's collections. Probably the only ones that I regret letting go is the GISD, 90th Division and the 78th Division pieces. I haven't seen any others like them. Aloha, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel griffin Posted January 16, 2011 Share #24 Posted January 16, 2011 That bullion Reserve Mallet patch is a killer , it's a tough patch to find in any construction method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share #25 Posted January 16, 2011 Some really fabulous patches being posted on here. Thanks for all the wonderful inputs. Here is another variation of the Mallet patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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