11th Airborne Division Parachute Badges and Ovals 1950s

[ehrentitle]

I recently bought a pair of parachute badges, three ovals and a jump log for a Specialist 3 which served in the 11th Airborne Division HQ Battery DIVARTY from 1955 to 1958 at Fort Campbell and in Germany. I don't normally go out of my way to buy 1950s para items, but I couldn't resist this insignia because it came with a rare 1950s 3/6th Infantry badge which I wanted for my Berlin Brigade collection.

 

Unfortunately the posts have been clipped off of both para badges and one has been shaved down to resemble something like a cross. I looked more closely at the first badge tonight and noticed that the feathering on the wings and the detail on the parachute are quite crisp and detailed, nothing like the other para badges in my collection. Although it is unmarked is there any way to date this badge and determine where it was made based on these characteristics? Here are a few scans.

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Your paratrooper wing is an Assmann made piece without their "A" hallmark and three digit numbers. This was made in basic, senior and master levels so they were made in Germany sometime after 1950. Since this came with this grouping my guess is that it is an original unmarked Assmann wing and not a restrike utilizing their dies. Your ovals are German made as well based on my understanding of the way in which the base of the chute juts downward and into the border.

[ehrentitle]

Tonomachi - Thanks for the Id of the para badge and ovals, I would have never guessed. There is still the mystery of the other para badge that has been cut down to look like a cross. I noticed last night that it is noticeably wider than a normal para badge. Has anyone seen a para badge cut down like this or know the significance.

[Tonomachi]

Tonomachi - Thanks for the Id of the para badge and ovals, I would have never guessed. There is still the mystery of the other para badge that has been cut down to look like a cross. I noticed last night that it is noticeably wider than a normal para badge. Has anyone seen a para badge cut down like this or know the significance.

 

I don't recognize the specific wing this was made from however judging from the amount of sloppy solder on the back, missing the rear fixings, my guess is that this was made as a piece of jewelry like a pendant or part of a bracelet. A sort of personal crucifix made by the trooper from one of his wings. It could have been made for a wife or girlfriend as a sweetheart piece. I would say it is an original piece coming from this grouping as there have been a lot of questionable crucifixs made from paratrooper and glidertrooper wings over the years.

[ehrentitle]

Thanks again. My other thought is that it's possibly been modified to open beer bottles or beer cans.