MEYER WING PATTERNS

[Rocketman]

Seems like everyone discussing Meyer topic here. In Pic below (Realize one is senior pilot and one is marked sterling) both have NS Meyer INC, New York with a raised Shield. Are they both sterling ? is one or both a fake. One is pin back the other clutch. Any help ID'ing these? The regular pilot is on ebay for $100+. The command pilot is mine (on left) is mine. Thanks

[jeff41st]

Rocketman - Both Meyer wings are good. Your senior pilot is post-WWII and looks to be sterling plate on brass? The pilot wing is WWII-era and $100 for that wing is on the high side. With a little looking you should be able to pick one up for $45-$70. 

 

If you are not familiar with Meyer wings it would be a good idea to look through the following discussion. There are a lot of fakes and re-strikes out there

 

 

[The Rooster]

On 11/2/2022 at 6:10 PM, jeff41st said:

Adding these "Pattern III Pelican Beak I" pilot wings to the thread for discussion. Did a fair amount of searching, but did not come across a posting for this variety. This variety is found both with and without the Meyer hallmark. On both versions the pin opens 180. The raised hallmark and sterling marks are crisp. On both examples there is a tiny raised blob of sterling immediately under the "N" This variation does not have the standard cammed pin found on Meyer wings. They are also lacking the frosted finish and the guides for placing the findings present on the backs of Meyer Pelican Beak pattern wings.

 

Although lacking some of the classic attributes found on what's known to be true Meyer wings they don't appear to be re-strikes to me.

 

What's the consensus on these wings? Maybe an early version of the Pelican Beak pattern? Or just a variation as a result of multiple manufacturers? Other ideas?

 

 

 

Does anyone have any answers to Jeffs Question?

Ive been seeing some like these lately.

[jeff41st]

Here is a bit more discussion on these wings, but nothing definitive as to their age.

[pfrost]

Its an interesting discussion. I have noticed, for example, that there are some NS Meyer DUI insignia that don't have the "right" cammed pin.  This insiginia are often found on little cards that have me wondering if they too were made for the collecting market post WWII.  Even Morrie Luxenberg was selling old military buttons in the 1960's to collectors.  SO it is possible that NS Meyers was tapping into the same market.

 

As always, with NS Meyers, you have to decide for yourself what vintage (and what vintage we are talking about) or which are restrikes.  Personally, I don't really like the ones without the correct findings, but I may be wrong.  You may want to ask the DI guys,

 

NS Meyers seemed to have been a retail store and not a wholesale manufacturer of wings.  I believe that they probably used multiple wholesale suppliers, so it is possible that one or two of those used different types of findings. 

 

P

[The Rooster]

2 hours ago, pfrost said:

Its an interesting discussion. I have noticed, for example, that there are some NS Meyer DUI insignia that don't have the "right" cammed pin.  This insiginia are often found on little cards that have me wondering if they too were made for the collecting market post WWII.  Even Morrie Luxenberg was selling old military buttons in the 1960's to collectors.  SO it is possible that NS Meyers was tapping into the same market.

 

As always, with NS Meyers, you have to decide for yourself what vintage (and what vintage we are talking about) or which are restrikes.  Personally, I don't really like the ones without the correct findings, but I may be wrong.  You may want to ask the DI guys,

 

NS Meyers seemed to have been a retail store and not a wholesale manufacturer of wings.  I believe that they probably used multiple wholesale suppliers, so it is possible that one or two of those used different types of findings. 

 

P

 

22 hours ago, jeff41st said:

 

Here is a bit more discussion on these wings, but nothing definitive as to their age.

The weird part about these types is that the raised hallmark seems good looking?

But yea I wont touch em either. I like the WW2 with the correct stamps and fittings too!

[pfrost]

One thing to consider is that NS Meyer wings are not that rare. Unless you are looking for "one of everything" (not that there is anything wrong with that), the safest bet may be to get one example that checks off all the boxes, vis a vis restrikes. But no matter what, you will always struggle to convince 100% of the people 100% of the time that it is vintage anyway, so why bother?

 

Periodically, you may find a nice autobiographical wing that will give you better insight and clarity. But even then, the jury may still be out on you.

[Threewood]

There is a Meyer 2nd Pattern on ebay with the "sterling" with the dot. Asking price is way over $50 so I wouldn't even consider it. I'm not a fan of Meyer wings in general just because of the restrikes.  I did come across this one for $50, which was good considering the features all look like a good war era wing. Don't settle for for anything less than you would be happy with.