cwnorma Posted September 20, 2020 Share #1 Posted September 20, 2020 Like a lot of wing collectors, in between wing badges I often pick up other Aviation related insignia. A fellow collector who already had an example tipped me off to this one and I was fortunate enough to add it to my collection. The collar insignia is for an enlisted soldier in the First Aero Company: From Bob Schwartz excellent website: The First National Guard Aero Company was originally called the Aviation Detachment, First Battalion, Signal Corps, National Guard, New York. It was re-designated the First Aero Company, provisionally recognized on 22 June 1916 and mustered into federal service on 13 July 1916 in anticipation of duty on the Mexican border. On 2 November 1916, the First Aero Company was mustered out of federal service without ever having reached the border. Some have speculated that this particular collar insignia was for Enlisted Aviators of the 1st Aero Company but I have never found any reference confirming this. My opinion is that this speculation is based on the superficial resemblance of its design elements with those of the later Enlisted Aviator sleeve insignia. I believe this may be coincidence but would like to know more! If anyone has any more information on this particular insignia or the 1st Aero Company please share! What I find particularly neat is this very short-lived insignia pre-dates the formation of the Army Air Service and is among the very first Aviation specific insignias of the US Army. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted September 20, 2020 Share #2 Posted September 20, 2020 Is there a known one of these with credible provenance (or better yet, pictured in a period photo)? In the 1960's/70's, a number ofWW1 collar disks were created for the collector market that never existed. They tended to have really "cool" designs. One quick example I recall is the cavalry disk with a machine gun/tripod below the crossed sabers. There were others I recall seeing way back then. This one reminds me of one of those "creations". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted September 20, 2020 Kurt, This particular disk is reasonably well documented (See Campbell p37 #10 and Morris p43 #C27). Although neither of those authors have any additional information beyond what I wrote above. I am fairly certain this disk can be found in Scipio-Patterson too but I don't have that reference handy to verify... The disks you are referring to were re-struck from the Stokes-Kirk dies that were held for a time by the Naugatuck Novelty Company of Naugatuck, Connecticut and used to make re-strikes for sale to collectors. I have a copy of the Naugatuck Novelty Company catalog (it shows the "cool" disks you are referencing) published for dealers that shows all their wares--this is not one of theirs. Additionally Naugatuck used screw posts and spinners from the now defunct BA Ballou Company that were very distinctive. Could it be from some other faker? I guess anything is possible... Was Campbell fooled by this disk? Morris and Scipio too? Could be. None of us can know everything about the hobby. But before I toss this one in the dust-bin, I'd like to know what convinced those gentlemen of its originality. Best wishes Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brannan Posted September 21, 2020 Share #4 Posted September 21, 2020 I’ve a well worn example of this disk since 1975. I always thought it was a WW1 original. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brannan Posted September 21, 2020 Share #5 Posted September 21, 2020 Here’s my example. A very distinctive screw and post. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brannan Posted September 21, 2020 Share #6 Posted September 21, 2020 Reverse. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted September 21, 2020 Share #7 Posted September 21, 2020 Yes. Pictured in the classic insignia books. But, with limited documentation about them. Could certainly be ok - just always wondered about them. Perhaps a period photo will one day surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuftStalg1 Posted September 24, 2020 Share #8 Posted September 24, 2020 This has the exact same post and nut as my French made 168th Aero Squadron winged skull that ended up in the Massaro collection. IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brannan Posted September 24, 2020 Share #9 Posted September 24, 2020 My disc does have the chocolate colored paint used on many French made discs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwnorma Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted September 24, 2020 Gents, Thanks for your inputs. This is a tough disc to find, and definitely aviation related but it sure is hard to find any definitive information. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usa1918 Posted October 12, 2020 Share #11 Posted October 12, 2020 Wonderful disc. I have been looking for an example for the past 20 years Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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