rustywings Posted May 9, 2018 Share #76 Posted May 9, 2018 Robbins Co. hallmark... So maybe a lapse in quality-control that day with the manufacturer caused the badge to be mistakenly stamped with a hallmark? Who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted May 9, 2018 Share #77 Posted May 9, 2018 Nice find Russ. Production pressures must have high as orders poured in early in the war so possibly a push to get them out the door. Or as you said a lapse in quality control. Either way your observation has named a manufacturer of these wings. Well done. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted May 9, 2018 Share #78 Posted May 9, 2018 2" wings were not authorized until July of 1944. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted May 9, 2018 Share #79 Posted May 9, 2018 Thanks Marty I didn’t know that. So the early War hurry theory is a bust. Good info Russ. Thanks again. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted May 10, 2018 Share #80 Posted May 10, 2018 I should add though that even though they were not officially authorized until then, the manufacturers knew they were coming and they were available before then. One of my uncles was KIA April 2, 1944 and he had two 2" wings in his effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5thwingmarty Posted May 10, 2018 Share #81 Posted May 10, 2018 I can also add that the 2" wings from my uncle were from Bell and Amico, so those two companies were making 2" wings before they were officially authorized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-17Guy Posted May 11, 2018 Share #82 Posted May 11, 2018 Cool find Russ, good to see ultimate confirmation on the long time theory. Funny thing about shirt size wings is that you have to look pretty hard to actually find a photo from WWII of a vet actually wearing one! A good friend of mine flew B-29s in the Pacific. He showed me his various wing badges from WWII before he passed and amongst them was a 2 inch Amico Pilot. He looked puzzled when I referred to them as shirt size and said he never knew of the regulation for them to be worn on the shirt when not wearing a coat (as many other vets have said). He said they bought them to give to wives or girlfriends and he NEVER saw anyone wear anything but a full size wing on the shirt or coat. I am sure some gents wore them, but my impression is the vast majority did not. John PS, now if we could just get so many collectors/dealers to stop calling 2 inch USN wings shirt size (Mess Dress size) lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted May 11, 2018 Share #83 Posted May 11, 2018 I hear its not the size of the wing that matters.... LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghcal Posted May 11, 2018 Share #84 Posted May 11, 2018 Good points John as I've rarely seen standard 2" pilot wings worn either. But what I find odd is probably half of the photos I see of a GO with command pilot wings they're wearing the 2" versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted December 31, 2018 Share #85 Posted December 31, 2018 I have this wing and am confused as to the time period of manufacture. appears to be a silver wash over brass and the hallmark looks different for a Robbins pilot. it doesn't look like a home made cast job. the question is, pre or early war?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted December 31, 2018 Share #86 Posted December 31, 2018 front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted December 31, 2018 Share #87 Posted December 31, 2018 I think your pictures are mixed up, the bottom looks to be an Amcraft pattern pilot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted December 31, 2018 Share #88 Posted December 31, 2018 you are right Paul--- wrong picture-------- here is the right one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted December 31, 2018 Share #89 Posted December 31, 2018 My understanding is these "modified-Adams die" wings are very difficult to nail down as to era. When the Adams-type dies were first issued in 1919, they did not have fine lines between the bars of the "radiator." After a while, some manufacturers (AE Co, Jostens, Robbins, etc) slightly re-worked the dies to add additional detail (typically fine lines in the shield and additional feather detail in the shoulders) and used them throughout WW2. This badge could date from some time after Robbins decided to modify the die, all the way up to the time they decided to finally retire it. The findings are also pretty generic so not much help there. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted April 6, 2019 Share #90 Posted April 6, 2019 Here is a nice Robbins Flying R Hallmarked Command Pilot. I think its from the 1950's........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnman Posted October 11, 2019 Share #91 Posted October 11, 2019 Be very aware gentlemen, there is an issue with this wing on Ebay 352816790274 that I believe makes it VERY spurious and questionable to say the least and could REALLY BURN SOMEONE OF A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY. There is a SMILO pattern ("Sterling Except Fittings" - Standard SMILO Marking) Liaison Wing badge with the exaggerated/copious fletching pattern engraved upon the wings with a ROBBINS ATTLEBORO maker's mark with a very weak stamping along the OBBI of Robbins and the TTLE of Attleboro. I know of NO Corporate cooperation or interaction regarding product construction etc, between the two companies. This looks to be a wing fabricated for the purpose of creating a quick and deliberate fervor of excitement with a reputable quality maker not often seen so unfamiliar, such as Robbins, stamped as best they could into the back of a SMILO wing which is a decent and ornamented wing pattern that catches the eye but the actual SMILO name is NOT often included with their standard mark STERLING EXCEPT FITTINGS so the Robbins mark could be easily slipped in. If anyone has contradictory information please extrapolate conclusions for us, otherwise......BEWARE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnman Posted October 11, 2019 Share #92 Posted October 11, 2019 back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted October 11, 2019 Share #93 Posted October 11, 2019 ya know--------- the wing looks to be die cast but, the company name is incised and the sterling- except fittings is excised. just came to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnman Posted October 11, 2019 Share #94 Posted October 11, 2019 ya know--------- the wing looks to be die cast but, the company name is incised and the sterling- except fittings is excised. just came to mind. This wing is a contradiction on many levels including your excellent description of the contradicting lettering styles of one engraved and the other in relief. Well done Costa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted October 11, 2019 Share #95 Posted October 11, 2019 This is a good example of an old trick. Putting fake hallmarks on fake wings. On the fake wings thread, there are a ton of examples of these types of fakes. Best way to avoid them is to know what pattern goes with what manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted October 11, 2019 Share #96 Posted October 11, 2019 Many of the Meyers repops are made that way, stamped "Sterling" and raised Meyers Shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted October 11, 2019 Share #97 Posted October 11, 2019 and again I say, there is no end to the length of crap pulled to steal your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted October 11, 2019 Share #98 Posted October 11, 2019 At some point collectors need to educate themselves for their own benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted October 15, 2019 Share #99 Posted October 15, 2019 back a bit a humped up liaison wing with a Robbins hallmark was on you pay. looked good but, the hallmarks were crap. well now there is a pilots wing with the same hallmark and looks good but, not to clear and lettering off set and crooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfrost Posted October 15, 2019 Share #100 Posted October 15, 2019 That is probably not a fake, but an early Robbins-made pilot wing. Likely from pre-WWII time frame. Maybe even as early as the 20's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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