rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 27, 2014 During my school years as a financially struggling student, I couldn't afford those beautiful full-size WWI Pilot wings so many of us wish we could add to our collections. But I did pacify my collecting urges by focusing on the much smaller and affordable WWI lapel wings, sweetheart wings and overseas cap wings. I'd like to share some images of those small but detailed little wings. This first small wing looks very similar to a WWI Dallas wing. It's 1.5 inches in width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted October 27, 2014 The reverse is marked STERLING; Pat. Pend. and ROY S...or S Roy? The larger letter "S" is interwoven with the smaller letter "O" in the name Roy. I've not identified this hallmark. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 27, 2014 This small WWI wing is slightly larger at 1 & 5/8 inches in width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 27, 2014 The back is marked "STERLING" and it has a Tiffany style catch, but the locking lever is missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted October 27, 2014 The shield has raised stars and die-struck US letters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted October 27, 2014 This Air Service badge is very similar to an Eisenstadt pattern and may well have been made by them, but it's not hallmarked. This wing is 1.75 inches in width and has incised stars in the shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted October 27, 2014 Nicely vaulted with a drop-in style catch. The back is unmarked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted October 27, 2014 Comparison shot of the first three small wings. Since these wings are as well detailed as their full-size counterparts, I believe these were originally made for wear on the Pilot's overseas cap. And I'm confident many of these small wings were also sent home as gifts to loved ones...hence the "sweetheart" connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay V Posted October 27, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 27, 2014 Sir very nice! Thanks for sharing,Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted October 27, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2014 Nicely detailed little Wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffP Posted October 27, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 27, 2014 Russ, I've always liked your threads so if you will excuse the 'pun,' that really is one fine "Sweetheart" wing. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted October 28, 2014 Hey Jay, Patchcollector and Cliff, I appreciate you positive responses...especially after posting such poor images. I have about a dozen of these little WWI Pilot wings I wanted to post, but I'm struggling to find the right settings for such small wings. I've yet to post a picture which properly portrays the detail in these little "sweetheart" wings. I'll try again using outdoor sunlight. Here's a re-due of the back of the small Dallas wing. Anyone recognize this WWI era S-Roy or Roy-S hallmark? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted October 28, 2014 Another image of the front... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted October 28, 2014 This little 1.5 inch wide wing by "Haltom" of Ft. Worth, Texas is very different in design when compared to the full size version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted October 28, 2014 Lots of minute raised detail in the feathering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay V Posted October 28, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 28, 2014 No worries the photos are just awesome.If possible post more, would love to see them,Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted October 28, 2014 The back has a "U" shaped drop-in catch and incised "HALTOM - STERLING" hallmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted October 28, 2014 I've always associated the "Durocharm" hallmark with true "charm" jewelry like son-in-service pins and sweetheart pieces. Here's one of their 1 & 3/8 inch wide WWI Pilot wings. Beautiful design and lots of fine detail...but you have to be within a foot's distance to appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted October 28, 2014 Incised "DUROCHARM - N.Y.C." hallmark and STERLING mark. (I didn't even seen that damn white thread from the Riker Mount until posted it here. Sorry for the image distraction.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted October 28, 2014 Comparison shot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted October 28, 2014 This example has silver 'US' lettering instead of gilt. It is 1 & 5/8 inches in width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted October 28, 2014 A close up of the silver 'US' letters added to the shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted October 28, 2014 Standard open 'C' catch with incised STERLING mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted October 28, 2014 This example is similar in design, but a step down in detail when compared to the wing above. It is also 1 & 5/8 inches in width...and the silver 'US' letters have been added to the shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted October 28, 2014 Another open 'C' catch. The raised STERLING mark is somewhat muddled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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