Foreign made WW2 US Paratrooper Distinctive Insignia: SHOW YOURS

[Eric Queen]

I only have a couple but thought it would be an interesting topic.

 

First, German made Allied Airborne

[Eric Queen]

2

[Eric Queen]

German made 501 PIR

[Eric Queen]

2

[Eric Queen]

Most likely German made, hand painted 502 PIR. Not in perfect condition but one of my favorite pieces (thanks Bob)

[Eric Queen]

2

[Terry K.]

nice

[Teamski]

Wrong section.....

[Eric Queen]

Wow, tough crowd....lol

[TheMariner]

Great DUI's Eric keep up the nice finds !

[Tonomachi]

Here is one in my collection (Japanese made 457th Parachute Field Artillery).

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Here is a rather common DI which is a German made piece when the 509th Infantry was in Germany. I love your hand painted 502nd PIR which I've never come across before.

 

 

[Eric Queen]

Thanks Dennis for sharing. I would have thought there would be more interest in this topic. I like your Japanese made 457th a lot.

[Allan H.]

Eric,

 

I'm sure there is a lot of interest in the topic, but I don't know how many will be able to participate. I have a few pieces that I will share when I have the time to get some photos taken and to get them posted up.

 

Allan

[firefighter]

WOW!!! Amazing stuff. I like the 501st & 502nd

[Allan H.]

As promised, I will try to post up some "theater made" WWII airborne pieces.

 

First up is a German-made 1st Airborne Army Patch Type. He pin on the back side is exactly like the stickpins used on Nazi party stickpins.

 

Allan

[Allan H.]

Let's head to the other side of the globe. Here is an Australian-made piece made for a soldier in the 11th Airborne Division. Obviously, the piece has been made from an Aussie One Florin coin.

 

 

[Brian Dentino]

Some beautiful and VERY hard to find DUI's here....thanks for sharing! Eric, that 502nd is a stunner, conditional aside, and a great piece.

[Allan H.]

Here is a matched pair of Japanese-made 11th Airborne Division patch types. Due to my poor photo skills, one looks larger than the other, but they are the same size. They are screw back.

 

Allan

[Allan H.]

Where the last patch type was well constructed and the deep blue cloisonné makes them a winner, here is a rather clunky looking patch type. This one is painted pot metal. This one has always made me think of German made pot-metal DUI's, but I think this one was probably made in Japan. The 11th did serve in Germany in the mid 1950's, but this one came from the effects of a WWII veteran, so I would assume that it was picked up while he was at Sendai.

 

Allan

[Tonomachi]

Let's head to the other side of the globe. Here is an Australian-made piece made for a soldier in the 11th Airborne Division. Obviously, the piece has been made from an Aussie One Florin coin.

 

 

 

Although not a DUI here is I'm guessing part of a bracelet or maybe dog tag piece made from the same Aussie One Florin coin. The lettering of SWPA I believe stands for South West Pacific Area.

 

 

 

 

 

[Eric Queen]

Very nice items guys. Thanks for posting. Love the pieces made with local currency.

[Allan H.]

German made 504th PIR

 

Allan

[Gunslinger]

Most likely German made, hand painted 502 PIR. Not in perfect condition but one of my favorite pieces (thanks Bob)

 

The DUIs displayed all look to be of German original from the material to the pin style.

 

The 1st appears to be tomback and the 2nd /3rd appear to be zink alloy 'feinzink'. Since the Germans wore their medals into battle, feinzink was commonly used because its durability.

 

It's exactly what i would expect to see with German made item dating to post WWII.