jetteraf Posted May 17, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 17, 2011 I picked these up based on pictures, and now that I have them in hand, have my doubts. These come with short pins, and one WWII style brass clutch. The back is marked STERLING and has a glossy blackened appearance. The front appears to also have had an antiquing applied vs. natural tarnish. Overall appearance seems a bit grainy, and I'm wondering if the piece isn't cast. Any opinions? Link to post Share on other sites
awmartin Posted May 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 17, 2011 Hi, I'm no expert regarding wings, although these don't look like they are authentic WW2 era, as they definitely look cast. It looks like there are a lot of imperfections on the wings of the badge caused by air bubbles, and I also don't like the pools of soldering that are holding in the pins. Also, the "sterling" hallmark should be very easily readable, and not blurred as it appears in your photo. If these wings were marketed as authentic, you should try and get your money back. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
pfrost Posted May 17, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 17, 2011 I'll take a different position and suggest that they are exactly what they seem to be, WWII vintage "graduation" or issue bombardier wings. Sometimes the quality of these wings was not the greatest, and the finish and quality of the strike can make them look cast. From what I see, they compare well with other wings in this pattern that I have seen They are a relatively common pattern and not typically faked, because they are on the lower end of value. From what I can see, my 2 cents are that they are 100% ok. :thumbsup: Patrick Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Posted May 17, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 17, 2011 I concur with pfrost...these wings are fine and 100% legit. Dave Only a weak society needs government protection or intervention before it pursues its resolve to preserve the truth. Truth needs neither handcuffs nor a badge for its vindication. -Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy Peace is not the absence of war, but the defense of hard-won freedom. -Anton LaGuardia Link to post Share on other sites
awmartin Posted May 17, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 17, 2011 I stand corrected. Sorry about that! Link to post Share on other sites
doyler Posted May 17, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 17, 2011 Look good to my untrained eye.Evwn appears to have one original flat face clutch RD In Memoriam:Lieutenant J.Kostelec 1-3 First Special Service Force MIA/PD 4 March 1944 ItalyI HAVE SEEN THE ENEMY AND IT IS DAYLIGHTForget about the tips..We'll get hell to pay (AC/DC)"If you cant get out and run with the big dogs then sit on the porch and bark at the cars going by.." Have you Hugged a Clown Today? You Cant Get A Sun Tan On The Moon.. Link to post Share on other sites
Patriot Posted May 17, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 17, 2011 I also wanted to add that the "short" posts on the back are exactly what you would expect from a World War II era piece. The longer posts are generally associated with post-war manufacture. In memory of Lance Corporal Jeremy S. Lasher, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Killed in Action July 23, 2009, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Semper Fi Lance Corporal's 2/8 challenge coin was STOLEN from his grave. Please see the following forum link for details: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/210650-challenge-coin-stolen-from-marine-kia-grave/&do=findComment&comment=1654270 My eBay Auctions: http://shop.ebay.com...s/m.html?_dmd=1 Link to post Share on other sites
Robbo Posted May 17, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 17, 2011 I see no issues. Sterling silver is a fairly soft metal and the "pitted" look is probably slight damage from coming into contact with harder substances over the last 6 or 7 decades. Rob Cawte Interested in buying AIR CORPS items, particularly 8th and 9th AAF id'd medals, uniforms/groupings Link to post Share on other sites
jetteraf Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted May 18, 2011 Thanks everybody. I took a chance with an E-Bay listing with some grainy pictures. The seller dealt with militaria, but focused on civil war stuff, and didn't have any other wings for sale. I hoped the lack of maker marks, and clutch backs put these too low in the food chain to merit faking. I felt the short posts and WWII style clutch were good indicators too. I just thought they looked a little "soft" when I got them, so I came here. Thanks for the help, and I'm glad they were what I thought I was buying. Link to post Share on other sites
John Cooper Posted May 18, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 18, 2011 Well it looks like you have been provided the correct inforamtion on this wing. I am glad you stopped in and asked! Please alwasy feel free to post and ask questions and browse the threads as there is a wealth of information. Cheers John Always looking for Wings & Named Air Medals! Motto: To Collect, Preserve, and Remember! Link to post Share on other sites
armillary_journey Posted May 19, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 19, 2011 Even though a couple of distinguished wing people have given their opinion I'd like to add a brief here, the short post, and silver solder puddles that attach them are what you want. If they were "nailhead" looking post with no silver solder, they'd probably be post WW2. I went to a very very experienced wing kings home and had the honor of looking at his massive collection in Febuary of this year. One thing I left there with. He said to me, he has never seen any clutback counterfeits, not that they aren't out there, he just hasn't seen any. He said people want pinbacks, as they tend to be more popular so that is what the counterfeiters produce, the "popular, the sought after wings". Your wing on here is fine brother, a nice piece of history. Keep buying them wings.................. :thumbsup: Link to post Share on other sites
armillary_journey Posted May 19, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 19, 2011 Thanks everybody. I took a chance with an E-Bay listing with some grainy pictures. The seller dealt with militaria, but focused on civil war stuff, and didn't have any other wings for sale. I hoped the lack of maker marks, and clutch backs put these too low in the food chain to merit faking. I felt the short posts and WWII style clutch were good indicators too. I just thought they looked a little "soft" when I got them, so I came here. Thanks for the help, and I'm glad they were what I thought I was buying. Start looking at the edges of your wings. Vertical shears marks are a solid indicator you have a die struck wing. Sometimes it's hard to see them, and sometimes not. Go on ebay and search "loupe". They are really cheap, buy a 16 and or a 30 power. But you will see many things then the naked eye don't show you. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
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