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Gilt 3" From the 20 's - 30's - 40's ?- Confirmation of Instructor?


mtnman
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I picked up this STERLING badge a few days ago and have heard different reports about them. This badge is WELL USED. It has the dark residue typical of the oils from the skin working as fly paper to the dirt and exhaust from early engines. The patina/residue is thick in places which you will see and the pin and assembly are interesting too. The Pin Catch has evidence that it was worn for so long as to rub the gilt coating off the top of the catch (2) where the wing would have rubbed up against the fabric of the coat/shirt the pilot wore, leaving the base gilt still in place (1) and the pin itself has age spots on it as well and is bent a bit (3). There is a heavier residue around the pin catch and the hinge where handling would have been more likely (circled). I had a chance to buy a silver wing of this style which was named to the pilot which had given them to his crew chief when he received his Sr. Pilot Wings but I passed, so these are my first of this style and wondered if you gentlemen may please add your expertise to the assessment of these wings....

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