Basic Rifleman

That's great news! And thanks for taking the time to post this, Allan. I searched this site and others, and didn't really find a proven example of a WWI Hat in the Ring. I love that photos exist of men wearing them... Would you happen to know where I might find a known example of what a WWI period piece might look like (front and back). Tom

So are there any "originals" to the WWI period? Or were the pins first created when distributed by Rickenbacker during WWII?

Thank you for that great resource, T Ambrosini. Much appreciated.

Wow. Thanks Wake! Spot on....

Good Afternoon All, I was hoping for some help identifying this unit insignia. The writing on the bottom reads: "Pour La Patrie" and the reverse is pin-backed with no makers mark. This one has stumped me for over an hour...... Thanks in advance!

Great point with regard to the Japanese Army caps. I hadn't noticed that... And the hand-me-down uniforms might lend further to the theory these may have been taken as propaganda pics...

Thank you so much for your response! There is indeed barbed wire surrounding the area the picture was taken, and on the other side of the fence there are wooden "crates" I've seen in the transport of POW's in other photos. The sign above their head reads "All Unauthorized Vehicles Keep Out" with characters beneath it I assume says the same thing in Japanese.

Photo 4 & 5

Photo 3

Photo 2

I picked these up from a local antique store, and the more I looked at them the more I knew I don't know what they are... I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on if these are from a WWII POW Camp or stateside Internment Camp. I've searched the internet and this forum and can't find anything like them. My best guess was these were to be used as propaganda to show the Japanese how well we were taking care of their POW's. I was particularly interested in the baseball pictures, and was hoping someone could help translate things on the flag or signs - also the fella crouching is holding a sign, but it appears illegible because on the glare/light but it is clear enough to see the writing are Japanese Characters and not English. Any help - even speculation would be most appreciated. Also, not sure if it matters, but they are on heavier photo paper and are silver gelatin.

Although not the good news I was hoping for, I appreciate the time everyone took to respond to this. I had my doubts about it as well, and was honestly hoping this was something BB&B made for consideration for the MA Badge government contract. As stated above, there are many red flags. If this were made from pot metal I would have immediately written it off. Being it is confirmed 18k and platinum, I thought there might be a chance it was something special, or made for someone special.

...And I just found some additional information about the shield with an "R" flanked by an eagle and lion. It appears this is mark signifies a joint effort by BB&B and "Reed and Barton". This just keeps getting weirder and weirder...

I don't know that it looks (in person) to be die struck or cast. This piece appears to be 100% hand crafted.

Reverse Bar - hallmarks - stamps, etc.