Patchcollector Posted December 11, 2013 Share #1 Posted December 11, 2013 Greetings,A new find is this piece that the seller describes as a WW2 era USNR Merchant Marine hat badge.It's marked "Vanguard" and also marked "Sterling" in two places. I've never seen one before,I'm mostly into patches,but this item caught my eye.Any comments to it's authenticity,when it was made,where and how it was worn would be much appreciated.Sellers' pics. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted December 11, 2013 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted December 11, 2013 Share #3 Posted December 11, 2013 It's not a hat badge, it goes on the breast of a coat; like sub dolphins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 11, 2013 Share #4 Posted December 11, 2013 We used to call it the "sea chicken". Probably one of the most hideous devices ever made...just IMHO. A Navy officer wearing it meant that he had gone to a Merchant Marine academy and was a licensed mariner. Most of the guys who were MM graduates rarely, if ever, wore them. There were a handful who insisted though...and put up with the snide comments about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted December 11, 2013 Interesting!Thanks for the info!I have always like the unusual stuff,so I think these are cool,and look great! I'm wondering..If not many wanted to wear them,would that make these scarce? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted December 11, 2013 Share #6 Posted December 11, 2013 I'm not sure if they could be called scarce by any means, some guys had them; but in the last 20 not a whole lot seem to wear them. From time to time you can find them in bullion on old blues. 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