AirMechanic Posted November 6, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 6, 2013 Can anyone identify these maker hallmarks on this WWII USAAF Aviation Cadet's hat badge? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted November 6, 2013 closeup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant S. Posted November 7, 2013 Share #3 Posted November 7, 2013 This looks more like the English hallmarking system for metal content and place of manufacture. Try this website and maybe you'll find some matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 7, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 7, 2013 I can see why you make that observation. However, British hallmarks are invariably impressed into the metal with individual punches and not molded in relief as on the example seen here. Also, with the wings being made of brass (?) such hallmarks would not be necessary under British law as they are applied to precious metals only. Another anomaly is the "cadet" connection. AAF cadets would all be trained in the CONUS before being shipped overseas, therefore there would be no need for Cadet devices to be procured in the United Kingdom....would there? It's certainly a very interesting and unusual "trademark" and one which I've never encountered in 30 years of collecting GI insignia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 7, 2013 Share #5 Posted November 7, 2013 Typically impressed hallmarks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant S. Posted November 7, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 7, 2013 Yes, after I wrote that I wondered to myself why would aviation cadet insignia be made in England? I hadn't noted that all the English hallmarks are impressed, either. The mystery deepens... it's too bad the U.S. has no system similar to the British system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted November 8, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 8, 2013 Hi, The only places I've seen these markings are on Bastian Bros, Rochester NY marked items (eg the little V-5 Navy pins). I think I have this marking on a Cadet's Hat Badge as well as some submarine pins and some DUIs. Regards Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted November 19, 2013 I believe I have identified the maker to be the Greenduck Co. of Chicago. Does anyone have any history on them or perhaps a badge made by them to confirm their hallmark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conway Posted November 22, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 22, 2013 Are the markings just poorly executed or did Greenduck develop their own language? I have one of these too and it just did not make sense to consider it was foreign made...but who/what/where? Glad to hear someone has a handle on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOKIEMAN Posted November 22, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 22, 2013 Could these be "craft" symbols indicating the badge is union made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skio Posted July 17, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 17, 2015 Could these be "craft" symbols indicating the badge is union made? I just picked up a cadet badge with these same markings and in searching the forum, found this thread. I agree with cookieman that all three hallmarks are union stamps. The oval and circle on mine have a wagon wheel design in them and the shield has "MPIU" on it. I do not believe we can say for sure Green Duck made these as their hallmark has a duck sitting on a lily pad. https://www.etsy.com/listing/199500757/1949-illinois-licensed-chauffeur-metal?ref=market Unless someone finds this badge on a manufacturers card, we may never know who made it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted April 28, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 28, 2020 I just picked up some insignia with an aviation cadet cap badge with the three marks. I would say it's for sure Bastian Bros of Rochester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkopz Posted August 18, 2021 Share #13 Posted August 18, 2021 The MPIU shield (or MPB PIU shield) is a union mark. The union was called "Metal Polishers & Buffers--Platers International Union." I'm not sure which shield came first, as the union name apparently went through several incarnations. These shields appear on both Bastian Bros pieces and Greenduck pieces. The picture below is from an American Legion medal from 1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now