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World War One Weekly Wing #16 - US made bullion pilot


cwnorma
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The 16th World War One Weekly Wing is something of a mystery. Evidently an American-Made badge, and apparently fairly popular during the period--it shows up in numerous WW1 era photographs:

 

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The badge differs from many other American-made wings in that overall this wing tends to be somewhat less padded than many other WW1 badges; similar in padding depth to those made in France. However its construction techniques and materials are typically American.

 

The wings of this badge are quite distinctive. Each shoulder is composed by a crescent-shape of smooth bullion. Immediately below is a row of diagonal feathers where the rachis are faceted bullion and the vane is smooth bullion. Third, a row of nine large feathers, composed of smooth bullion. Super adjacent to the top of each wing also is a bullion coil outlining the top.

 

The shield of these badges tends to be somewhat square. The chief of the shield is made of horizontal smooth bullion with 13 small "x" smooth bullion "stars." The escutcheon consists of two alternating types of vertical smooth silver bullion. Surrounding the entire shield is a coil of fine bullion wire. The US on these badges vary in width but are normally very well executed and consist of coils of smooth gold bullion.

 

The badge above is a sew on variety. Pin-on versions are sometimes found. This particular badge has no contrasting dark thread.

 

The reverse reveals a white "waffle-weave" stiffener common in American wings.

 

This wing can also be found in a half-wing (Junior Military Aviator/Observer) configuration.

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All of the period photos above came from either here on the USMF or the internet. and are used here for educational and illustrative purposes.

 

As noted above, this badge presents collectors with a little mystery as it shows up fairly commonly in period photographs but is a particularly tough badge to find today. Perhaps they were not very durable and were replaced with better badges or perhaps by sheer luck photos of this particular badge in wear have survived to the present day. Regardless, this is a handsome American made badge.

 

I would love to see your examples of this handsome and unique badge!

 

Chris

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