Reproduction army officer's cap eagle

[MattS]

I saw this ebay auction and it caught my eye. This pattern eagle with the round field of stars, lack of detail to the eagle's head/neck and right leg, and finely detailed feathers are all features on several reproduction eagles I have.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221477650626?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Here's two I have:

 

Anyone know where these are coming from?

 

[MattS]

The two lumps on the rear of the shield are almost identical too. I'm willing to bet the ebay one has the same feature.

 

 

[bobgee]

Honestly I am stumped at the suggestion that the ubiquitous Army officer's hat badge has been "reproduced". Variations? Absolutely! This emblem is so common that that the investment to copy it and sell it for profit escapes my imagination. The badge itself, because there are so many variations can be collected as its own hobby. And maybe out there is a cast lead variation that was made by someone in East Cottonpatch for a WWII visor hat, but made as a "reproduction" for profit? I don't think so. My 2-cents. Bobgee

[MattS]

I wouldn't have thought anyone would reproduce private's stripes, but they do.

http://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USIDPFCR

 

Take a look at these cap eagles:

http://www.nchsinc.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1893

 

http://onlinemilitaria.com/shopexd.asp?id=133&bc=no (actually the photo link is broken, but you can see it here on their cap: http://onlinemilitaria.com/shopexd.asp?id=132&bc=no)

[bobgee]

Thanks for the links, Matt. Live & Learn. I stand corrected and eat my words! I guess NCHS WILL "reproduce" just about anything! Bobgee

[MattS]

They sure will! Ten years ago when cap eagles were $5-10, I never would have believed there were repros coming our way.

[12A54]

I thought the same but when you think about it, those who reproduce hats and uniforms aren't going to search out or source original accessories (like buttons, cap eagles etc.) because they need a steady and predictable supply. The source making the cap badges needs to sell more volume to break even and then profit, so seek gift/souvenir shops (museums) to sell them. That's why there is a clutter of such common stuff being reproduced.

 

Same is true of manufacturers like Vanguard churning out tons of obsolete medals that haven't been awarded in decades (or in much volume). There must be profit in it....

[MattS]

That is true. There are several companies (What Price Glory, At The Front, WW2 Impressions, Diamond Cap Company, Society Brand Hat, etc.) either making or selling WW2 officer's caps, all of which need eagles. That doesn't even count the Asian made copies seen on ebay and at surplus stores!

[MattS]

There's another company, American Patrol Company, making cap eagles in 4 different styles. They are marked "APCo" on the rear for reference.

https://www.facebook.com/americanpatrolcompany

[cbuehler]

Wow! I too am stunned about this. I guess they do reproduce anything. I would not have thought that Army cap badges were reproduced to any extent.

This does seem to be fairly recent however, as I have not seen any such items 10 years ago.

 

CB