DUI for the 23rd FG - China - Question

[Argonauts2]

Attached is a photo of one of two DUI's for the 23rd FG made in country -- China. Both are currently listed on e-bay and over the last few weeks, one or two have appeared weekly, different patterns corresponding to Massaro's reference book in Air Corps DI's. Not the rarest of aviation DI's, but not common, and certainly the Chinese pieces are scarce and command good money when found. - Not as hard to find as a Zamora made Philippine 12th Division HQ DUI.

 

I have two of these 23rd FG DUI's in my collection that were given to me by a friend, co-worker and former fighter ace who served in the 75th FSQ 23rd FG in China that were given to him when he joined the unit, so I have two control samples.

 

Over the last few weeks the same dealer has sold several of these DUI's -- see below -- of different patterns and in some cases selling a few of the same pattern.

 

I have kept an eye out for these DUI's for a number of years and every now and than one would show up, but now to have this many appear all within a space of a few weeks is outside the norm.

 

They look good and in the photos, the patterns matching my two (My two are different pattern types) appear to be similar.

 

I welcome others thoughts regarding these DUI's.

 

E-bay # 191597009203

 

23rd Fighter Group DI/DUI,Chinese-made, PB, 23A1

23A5

23A4

23A2

 

 

 

 

[JDK]

I know the the seller you are talking about and have also been following the auctions. What I have heard is that he is selling a long time DI collection that took the collector many years to build up. All the 23rd DI's I have seen sold were good. It's just one of those rare opportunities when a long time collector sells their collection and many items hit the market at one time. They have all been selling for good money, but if they keep coming at this pace, the price will more than likely start to drop some.

 

JD

[KurtA]

They're not easy to find, but they are around. I think some of the very high prices some have realized lately have brought others out. Everyone I have seen on Ebay with the Chinese style pin has been good. It would be difficult to make a good fake of these. I agree with JD that prices will eventually drop (somewhat). But, being they are so cool and attract more than just DUI collectors (i.e., anybody with an interest in CBI stuff), they will always bring a strong price.

[ocsfollowme]

It just goes to show that we all need to hide a little money away for when hoards like this come out on eBay =)

[Argonauts2]

Agreed. I have followed the sale and copied the photos of each for my reference file. All looked good to me and match mine which I know are good. Like the 23rd. FG, pieces I have followed his Zamora made Philippine pieces and have purchased a one of those which is also a good as I have several of the same DI in my collection as I collect pre-war Philippines.

 

With regard to the 23rd FG piece, an interesting point worth passing on. The veteran who gave me mine, told me that when he joined the 75th FS (Flying Sharks -- he flew P-40's in the unit with Tex Hill, Ed Rector and Johnny Alison) the commander of the squadron gave each man "one" DUI when they joined the unit. Most men wore them on their caps. They could not purchase them, but he picked up a second one sometime in the 2 years in China with the unit, and the second one was slightly different. If the other squadrons of the 23rd fighter group operated the same way, that helps to explain why there were not many of these insignia brought back like other unit DUI's.