AAC Training School "Sustineo Alas" Pins - Pre-WWII types?

[stratasfan]

Hi! I am looking for a matched pair of DUI for the Air Corps Technical Training School (blue shield with motto below on gold scarf - "Sustineo Alas") to put in a display about my GGUncle who died during WWII. He was an Engineer/Gunner and trained at Chanute Field in 1939/1940. How can I identify which types of pins are pre-WWII varieties? I'd like some from the 1939/40 era. But there seem to be such a variety! Solid sterling, enamal on sterling, pin backs with safety catches, screw backs, pins that stick down with no safety. . . Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!

[cutiger83]

If you are looking to buy something, this should be placed in the "wanted" section. It will get more hits there.

 

...Kat

[stratasfan]

Before I buy them, though, I'm looking for some help figuring out which type/variety I want to buy. I am trying to figure out which variety of these particular pins would have been from 1939 or 1940.

[cutiger83]

Before I buy them, though, I'm looking for some help figuring out which type/variety I want to buy. I am trying to figure out which variety of these particular pins would have been from 1939 or 1940.

 

Sorry...I misunderstood....Kat

[stratasfan]

That's ok! I am just wanting to make sure that I get the right type!

[stratasfan]

I am assuming that screwbacks are pre-WWII, but would really prefer a pin type, so I could attach them to the display a bit easier. Any ideas which would be early varieties? r should I go with screwbacks?

[Allan H.]

There are probably more variations of this WWII DI than any other. In fact, I once thought about collecting as many variations as I could find since the DI's are relatively cheap. You will find them made of brass, sterling silver, stamped metal, and even plastic. You'll find them with screw posts and any number of variations of pin fasteners. They even exist in clutch back form. I'd say that you can't go wrong with the screw post variety to ensure that they are earlier examples.

 

Allan