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Crest-Craft


triplecanopy
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triplecanopy

Here are some examples of parachute badges made by Crest Craft of Cincinatti, Ohio. They made military insignia for many years and were known for high quality badges. They used the hallmark 14C, 23C and C23. On the C23 & 23C badges, they also added a shield with << inside. I assume that was an abbreviation for CrestCraft. They are no longer in business. Note: 23C was used on basic parachutist wings and C23 was used on senior and master wings. I have no explanation for this oddity. Also shown is the "bubble style" parachute badge with a blown out canopy that is marked 14C. All of these insignia were post-WWII since the company was founded in 1946.

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triplecanopy

In answer to your question, I believe that the 23C marking is late from the 1950's to mid 1960's. Most of the insignia makers ceased making sterling badges in the mid 1960's. The PX and clothing sales stores sold existing stocks well into the 1970's.

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  • 8 months later...

This is interesting. According to the company web site, Crest Craft were founded in 1945 (http://www.crestcraft.com/About.aspx).

 

Do you know anything about the relative dates of the flat back 14C versus the bubble style 14C? I've heard the the flat backs were produced very early (1945?) and the bubble backs after, but have seen nothing concrete.

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  • 3 weeks later...
triplecanopy

I do not know which came first. I suspect like you do that the flat backs were before the "balloon or bubble" type with the blown out canopy. That style was most likely middle to late 1950's to early 1960's, but that is just my speculation. They may have been a special order as you do not see them often.

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  • 1 month later...
triplecanopy

These are unusual markings on a Crest Craft parachute badge. I have only seen one like this. The name CREST CRAFT and STERLING are stamped in small letters above the raised letters 23C. On most wings only 23C or C23 and STERLING are featured along with the << marks in a shield. The front side is not shown since it has the standard features. Anyone else have one marked like this?

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  • 3 years later...
triplecanopy

I don't believe that your jump wings are made by Crest Craft. Looks to me like that is a G23 which is IRA Green.

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  • 3 months later...
triplecanopy

It has taken quite a while, but I finally obtained the senior and master parachutist badge examples of Crest Craft 14C marked expanded canopy or 'bubble canopy' wings. The set is now complete with all three grades. These are all marked sterling. I believe that these wings are from the 1950 to early 1960 time frame.  Recently I came across another Crest Craft marked basic parachutist badge with the manufacturer's name spelled out instead of the alpha-numeric hallmark.

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