How to date these Navy shoulder boards - flea market find?

[Tonomachi]

I picked up these Navy shoulder boards real cheap (buck apiece) at the flea market last week end. I bought them as you usually never find them on Navy uniforms that you come across at the flea markets being one of the things that is always removed. I was wondering how old these shoulder boards were?

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Photos

[Tonomachi]

Photos

[Kadet]

Perfectly flat with leather straps are considered WWII, but that is an inexact science. They began to take on the curved shape after the war though.

[Tonomachi]

Perfectly flat with leather straps are considered WWII, but that is an inexact science. They began to take on the curved shape after the war though.

 

Thanks for the information.

 

[Too Much WW1 Militaria]

The slightly curved ones came in (and this is a in-exact science in '45, from what I've been able to tell, late in '45. If they are flat with a left facing eagle they date from 1941 on, at least until the curved came into use. If they are flat with a right facing eagle, they date from the WW1 time frame until 1941. Again, the exact dates are written in jello. As a side note, I'm desperately seeking a set of pre-41 Ensign's boards (flat with right facing eagles to restore a WW1 named working tan tunic thar used slip on boards. Here is a pic of a WW1 era flat board. Unfortunately, I only have the single! %#$$^^&&%$$ LOL

 

John

[Too Much WW1 Militaria]

the back..... If anyone has a single that would match this one, let's talk. Finding these is driving me ape crap crazy! (And for those of you who know me, it isn't that long of a trip!)

[Too Much WW1 Militaria]

Forgot to add, some of yours appear to be WW2, some maybe the late 40's through maybe the 60's based on construction. Again, it's a inexact sort of thing.

 

John

[Tonomachi]

Thanks for the follow up information.

[hardheaded]

Picked up a WWI Navy grouping recently. Found this topic while looking to see if the shoulder boards in the grouping are WWI too. Looks like they are.

 

 

[Too Much WW1 Militaria]

They look to be..... Could be 100% sure if I saw the back. Most if the WW1 era boards used a screw in button vice snaps.

 

John

[warroom1]

The Dean of US Navy insignia and et al has a new book on Shoulder Straps and Shoulder Marks much color,

runs from 1830 thru 2012, can get it from the ASMIC book store ,its By JOHN A.STACEY

[hardheaded]

They look to be..... Could be 100% sure if I saw the back. Most if the WW1 era boards used a screw in button vice snaps.

 

John

 

John, Found the ID elsewhere online.

 

Here's the backs and the rest of the grouping, since you like the WW1 stuff I got the March 1918 book and a small box. The box had the shoulder boards, Lords Prayer on the tag hanging from the chain, pocket watch strap?, and a tag with 1st A**'T. ENG. FURNITURE (Merchant Marine?)

 

Thanks

HH