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World War One Weekly Wing #36


cwnorma
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World War One

Weekly Wing #36

Broad Shield-Type Dallas Wing 

 

Background

 

in February, we examined the Bailey Banks and Biddle marketed so-called "Dallas wing" (WWOWW #8).  Two weeks ago, we covered WWOWW #34--a wing for which no definitive maker has ever surfaced, although there are some promising theories.  This week's badge is another who's ultimate maker remains elusive, although I have high hope that we will be able to ultimately determine the maker--there are some good leads!  Like WWOWW #34, and the Eisenstadt "EAGLE" badge, the design elements of this badge include three distinct feathers in the shoulder.  This broad-shield Dallas is somewhat more scarce than the BB&B and unknown maker badge illustrated in WWOWW #34 and is known in several configurations.  The first configuration is the so-called "Dallas" design of three main pieces mounted on a wool covered back plate.  The badge is also known with its three pieces soldered together omitting the back plate. 

 

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Description

 

Reserve Military Aviator

 

Manufacture. Another iteration of the quintessential American-made World War One wing, design wise this badge is executed in somewhat greater relief than either the BB&B or the Second type variety.    Distinctive in design detail and with the exception of the significantly wider shield remains generally similar in proportion to other so-called "Dallas" wings.  Unlike the cliche-struck BB&B wings, this badge is struck in thick stock using the solid strike or coin method.  Unique to the Dallas version of this badge, the constituent components are affixed to the backing plate by a combination of snaps and small silver tabs soldered to the rear of each element.  Corresponding female snaps are soldered to the back plate.  The idea is that the sterling elements can be removed from the back plate for polishing.  Each wing is characterized by a first row of feathers, surmounted by a two-tier shoulder of individual feathers with the topmost row consisting of three feathers in a splayed formation.  Each feather is further "bright cut" to add additional sparkle.  A row of fine "beads" traverses the top and two-thirds of the way down the side of each wing.  Two "beads" extend past each wing tip.

 

The broad shield is moderately flared.  The chief contains 13 small raised "stars" atop a smooth field.  The field portion consists of alternating raised and relieved vertical columns.  The chief and field portion are separated by a row of beads similar in character to those surmounting the wings.

 

The well executed US is made of 14k gold half-round stock,  with no apparent serifs or periods.

 

Mountings.  As noted above, the RMA badge is mounted by snaps and tabs on a brass plate.  A background cloth of blue melton completely laps the reverse and is hand stitched fast.  The large catch is of the drop-in type.  The bronze pin is relatively thick.

 

WWOWW36b.jpg.2622f1ff2ed9c3ba75fedd2f872193fc.jpg

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  • 2 years later...

Adding to this discussion; yet another variation of the "broad" or "wide" shield "Dallas" wing.  

 

From the front, the upper badge in the photos below is similar to the lower-most badge in the photo at the bottom of the first post.  Moreover, it appears to be something of a transition piece:

 

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While the badges without a felt covered background appear nearly identical from the front, they differ considerably on the reverse:

 

IMG_0752.jpeg.134cf5c46436109ff81a602284927695.jpeg

 

The lowermost badge of the initial post is manufactured of three solid sterling pieces; silver soldered together with small ovoid or tear-drop shaped plates of sterling silver.  The badge discussed in this post is contrastingly manufactured in a fashion quite similar to a Shreeve and Co, or Imperial German Aviator, badge--that is; relatively thin, cliche' front pieces neatly silver soldered to a flat sterling silver backplate.  Perhaps interestingly, the backplate appears to be a modified version of the one used in the "Dallas" badge--retaining the cut-outs for snap fasteners.  However in this case, the backplate has been expertly trimmed to the exact dimensions of the three main cliche' front pieces.

 

It is worth noting, this still unknown manufacturer appears to have also offered at least one second-type Observer badge in this wing pattern:

 

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If this manufacturer ever made a first-type Observer badge, or any similar half wing version minus the felt covered back plate of this pattern, I have not yet encountered either.  I would be interested in seeing any examples that might be out in the collections.  The second-type Observer badge in the photos previously was sold from the collection of J. Duncan Campbell and the photographs here are from the Bonham's auction.  The current whereabouts of Campbell's observer badge are unknown.

 

While the manufacturer of these badges remains undetermined, all traceable examples thus far appear point to origins associated with California-based US Army Air Service training fields.

 

Chris

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