pfrost Posted August 27, 2011 Share #101 Posted August 27, 2011 Both with standard rivets and LGB-STERLING incised markings, however one style caduceus is hallmarked, the other is not. Neat wings Russ, Here is a photo of a USAF guy wearing what looks like the bottom set of wings. This picture likely dates from the late 50's. I doubt he is old enough to have been a flight surgeon during WWII. But if you look closely, the snake's heads are more horizontal in orientation. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #102 Posted August 27, 2011 Terrific photo Patrick! Here's a close-up comparing the two wings illustrated on the previous page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #103 Posted August 27, 2011 Here's another silver Balfour-made Flight Surgeon badge using a different style wing...and a third type of caduceus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted August 27, 2011 Share #104 Posted August 27, 2011 Hi everyone! Here's a beautifully feathered Flight Nurse wing with a blue "N" I found a reference to it in "More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens" by Maguire on page 149. It's marked Vanguard NY Sterling and has 2 flat, sterling clutches. As a point of interest I also came across this blue N" Nurse Corps device by BB&B. I wrote to the Army Nurse's Corps, historical section and got a nice reply from a Major who said she had no info on such a device, but surmised the BOS device was issued in the 1930's. I'd welcome any comments! Best to all, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #105 Posted August 27, 2011 Comparison shot of all three Balfour-made badges. Are there more variants out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #106 Posted August 27, 2011 Reverse comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted August 27, 2011 Share #107 Posted August 27, 2011 Comparison shot of all three Balfour-made badges. Are there more variants out there? Rusty, I just wanted to say those are gorgeous, I never tire at looking at Balfour wings. I have a modest collection of them, but the Flight Surgeon still eludes me! Thank you for showing the different patterns, it really helps! :thumbsup: Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #108 Posted August 27, 2011 Identical pins and roller catches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #109 Posted August 27, 2011 Silver and gilt Balfour comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #110 Posted August 27, 2011 The gilt caduceus is marked "BALFOUR 1/20 10KGF" and the silver caduceus is marked "BALFOUR STERLING." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #111 Posted August 27, 2011 Caduceus hallmarks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #112 Posted August 27, 2011 Hi everyone! Here's a beautifully feathered Flight Nurse wing with a blue "N" I found a reference to it in "More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens" by Maguire on page 149. It's marked Vanguard NY Sterling and has 2 flat, sterling clutches. As a point of interest I also came across this blue N" Nurse Corps device by BB&B. I wrote to the Army Nurse's Corps, historical section and got a nice reply from a Major who said she had no info on such a device, but surmised the BOS device was issued in the 1930's. I'd welcome any comments! Best to all, Joe Joe, you've posted a couple of beautiful pieces. The blue enamel is stunning. I believe the wing is a post-war USAF transition piece, hence the blue "N" instead of brown enamel or silver. Thank you for posting. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share #113 Posted August 27, 2011 This might be more trivia than the average wing collector cares about, but I know we have several avid BALFOUR collectors out there who might find the info useful. This morning, while comparing and contrasting a recently acquired Flight Surgeon wing with coffee, I noticed the L.G. Balfour Company used at least two different styles of caduceus and two different wing patterns when producing their distinctive riveted medical badges. Note the subtle differences between the two caduceus on these two silver LGB hallmarked Flight Surgeon wings. Russ a great post to read on the weekend! I consider the 2nd type caduceus to be on the later versions of the wing based upon the construction of the wings and the differences found between the gold and silver versions. That being said the 3rd wing you posted looks to use the same wing that the Bombardier \ AG wings use. This could be something that was jeweler customized... I will have to see if any other FS wings from other makers used the same caduceus. If done at the factory this would require them to have a 3rd variation of the center device and I wonder if that would have been cost effective? I would like to here the opinion of cookieman on this. PS your GOLD FS is stunning! Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #114 Posted August 27, 2011 L.G. Balfour comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 27, 2011 Share #115 Posted August 27, 2011 Reverse of all four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerfan Posted August 27, 2011 Share #116 Posted August 27, 2011 I haven't read through this thread to see if my question is already answered but I assumed that the flight surgeon wing was reserved for medical officers. I just aquired from a local family a photo and wing and a few papers. This lot belonged to a relative of the family I got it from. Notice his rank of airman third class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmar Posted August 28, 2011 Share #117 Posted August 28, 2011 Joe, you've posted a couple of beautiful pieces. The blue enamel is stunning. I believe the wing is a post-war USAF transition piece, hence the blue "N" instead of brown enamel or silver. Thank you for posting. Russ Hi Russ, Thank you for the information, it really makes sense that it is a transitional piece. I've often wondered about it, your input is really appreciated! Best wishes! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted August 28, 2011 Share #118 Posted August 28, 2011 Russ a great post to read on the weekend! I consider the 2nd type caduceus to be on the later versions of the wing based upon the construction of the wings and the differences found between the gold and silver versions. That being said the 3rd wing you posted looks to use the same wing that the Bombardier \ AG wings use. This could be something that was jeweler customized... I will have to see if any other FS wings from other makers used the same caduceus. If done at the factory this would require them to have a 3rd variation of the center device and I wonder if that would have been cost effective?I would like to here the opinion of cookieman on this. PS your GOLD FS is stunning! Cheers John Thank you John for your input. I had you and Cookieman in mind when I posted these wings. The silver Flight Surgeon wing illustrated at the bottom of my last image has the standard rivets normally seen in a Balfour produced wing, however the bottom rivet does not completely penetrate through the back of the wing. During the war, I suspect the Balfour company not only produced their own caduceus, but also purchased those attachments from other sources in order to fill the order as quickly as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted September 4, 2011 Share #119 Posted September 4, 2011 I'd sure like to see your WWII era Flight Surgeon wings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share #120 Posted September 5, 2011 Here is my GFS Russ... I am always loved the detail of this wing in that it is not over done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share #121 Posted September 5, 2011 Here are some detail shots... what great detail in the snakes and look at those feathers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share #122 Posted September 5, 2011 Here is a SFS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted September 7, 2011 Share #123 Posted September 7, 2011 Here is a SFS Very nice! John, your silver Flight Surgeon wing is sure in prestine shape! I found the full-size silver LGB version was much more difficult to acquire than the more plentiful gilt version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cooper Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share #124 Posted September 8, 2011 Very nice! John, your silver Flight Surgeon wing is sure in prestine shape! I found the full-size silver LGB version was much more difficult to acquire than the more plentiful gilt version. That is true Russ but I am not sure why... maybe the GFS was just more popular even after the change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted December 12, 2011 Share #125 Posted December 12, 2011 Since nothing has been added to this cool thread for a while, I thought I would bump it back to the top with the completion of my Amico Type I Flight Surgeon Trio. Top 1 5/8" Cap size (early hallmark) Mid 2.0" Shirt size (late hallmark) Bottom 3.0" Coat size (early hallmark) Best, John 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