hink441 Posted November 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted November 19, 2012 I was following this auction on e-bay, and I was very intrigued by the stars on the shield. I have never seen stars on a Navy wing before. I was a little surprised at what the wing sold for. Is this a legit early Navy wing? Just trying to learn about these Navy wings. Any comments and/or thoughts on this wing? Thanks for looking. Chris http://www.ebay.com/...cvip=true&rt=nc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted November 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted November 19, 2012 I would say someone got a great deal on a rare style of WW1 USN wings. These are really long and may be a prototype due to stars being on the shield. I have a pair just like these that I "know" are genuine. I must say the front view photo is really poor and it makes it look cast or something. I believe that is just the lighting. I think that kept the bids way down. The back hardware and finish looks just like mine, and that's what sells me on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted November 19, 2012 Share #3 Posted November 19, 2012 Somebody scored big-time!!!!!!!! Kurt, I know you have a pair, and as soon as I saw this I just about died! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted November 19, 2012 Share #4 Posted November 19, 2012 Chris, Wow! That is one of the rarest and most highly prized World War 1 USN Aviator wing badges to be offered by any dealer in many-a-moon. Listen to Kurk who has been around for a long time and knows his stuff. Frankly, I've only seen a couple of photos of WW1 USN aviators wearing the badge in my life time; therefore, to say the buyer who bought it was one lucky fellow would be a understatement. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted November 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted November 19, 2012 Thanks for posting that great photo, Cliff. I've never seen these wings in a period photo before. Glad to see they were a type actually "worn" and not just some manufacturer sample or prototype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted November 19, 2012 Wow, thanks to Kurt & Cliff for the great info. I wish I had the knowledge beforehand, I would have bidded on these. I am glad to hear they appear legit. I wonder who won these? It would be nice if they were won by a member of the forum. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted November 19, 2012 Share #7 Posted November 19, 2012 .......I wonder who won these? It would be nice if they were won by a member of the forum. Chris If it is a member, he would be hard pressed NOT to show them off!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted November 20, 2012 Share #8 Posted November 20, 2012 WOW under $300... @ jack I hope it is a member as i would love some high res photos. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcatter Posted November 23, 2012 Share #9 Posted November 23, 2012 Wow, wonderful wings, thank you!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted November 24, 2012 Share #10 Posted November 24, 2012 The original maker of these badges was Robert Stoll, 19 Cliff Street, New York, NY. Here is another nice example. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted November 24, 2012 Cliff, that wing is absolutely beautiful !! I would love to have one like it in my little collection. Is the maker's mark blocked for security reasons? I would imagine if the fraud/criminal/con artist had that info these wings would suddenly become common-place. Thanks for sharing this awesome wing !!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted November 24, 2012 Share #12 Posted November 24, 2012 The original maker of these badges was Robert Stoll, 19 Cliff Street, New York, NY. Here is another nice example. Cliff Cliff, you are the man.....very cool wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted November 25, 2012 Share #13 Posted November 25, 2012 Is the maker's mark blocked for security reasons? I would imagine if the fraud/criminal/con artist had that info these wings would suddenly become common-place. Hi Chris and John. There's nothing covert going on beneath that tape but I did blot out the code that was printed on it which I use to keep informed as to the date and from whom the badge came from. The actual makers (RS) mark can still been seen just below the tape but it's very small. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted November 25, 2012 Share #14 Posted November 25, 2012 A very rare and handsome Aviator badge indeed! Thanks for posting Cliff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted November 25, 2012 Share #15 Posted November 25, 2012 Wow, Cliff, wonderful post! Thank you for the info! I have 3 of these wings in my collection: Plated Brass, Rolled Gold, and a 14K example (the Carscallen wing in Wings of Gold), but yours looks to be a 4th variant: gilt sterling. Please verify. Interestingly, none of my wings, nor the one from the auction shown above, have a maker mark: glad yours did so you could solve the mystery! Thanks again, Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted November 26, 2012 Share #16 Posted November 26, 2012 Ron, I'm sure that Chris, Kurt, Robin, John and Russ will agree: Don't keep us in suspense any longer old friend, we want to see your examples' too. Cliff :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted November 26, 2012 Share #17 Posted November 26, 2012 I'm afraid it will have to be another week before I can get them all in one image together: I've loaned out the Rolled Gold example for a uniform display... That, and I have to admit, I'm not really sure how to post images on here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted January 3, 2013 Share #18 Posted January 3, 2013 Better late than never...just figured out how to post images here... Top to bottom: 14K Engraved to WWI Pilot with Tiffany style locking catch. Rolled Gold (XX Mark) with precursor locking catch found often on WWI vintage wings. Looks like a come-under locking catch (which is more prevalent in 30's-WWII wings, but actually patented during WWI), but operates like a Tiffany catch with limited rotation of the lock lever. Gilt Brass with open tongue-type C catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted January 3, 2013 Share #19 Posted January 3, 2013 Now let's see if they'll let me post the reverse image... Success! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted January 3, 2013 Share #20 Posted January 3, 2013 Ron, Wonderful grouping. Ya gotta like them all! Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted January 3, 2013 Share #21 Posted January 3, 2013 Thank you Cliff. Happy New Year, Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted January 3, 2013 Share #22 Posted January 3, 2013 I think WOW, pretty much covers it. Nice... Best, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burkey Posted January 3, 2013 Share #23 Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks John, Happy New Year, Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted January 3, 2013 Absolutely beautiful wings!! Thanks for posting!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted January 13, 2013 Share #25 Posted January 13, 2013 If it is a member, he would be hard pressed NOT to show them off!!!!!! GO FIGURE............I ended up with this pair of wings!! I had no idea where they went, but I was contacted last week and asked if I would like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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