Balfour Flight Nurse Wing

[jeff41st]

I picked up this flight nurse wing awhile back. Classic Balfour pattern with riveted caduceus. Back stamped 1/1010KGF. Does anyone know the time range that this pattern was produced?  Were the earlier versions (WWII era) marked Balfour or does the presence or lack of a Balfour hallmark give any indication as to how old the wing is?

 

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

I would think in the heart of WWII when government procurement mandated no manufacture marks.

[pfrost]

Its a beauty although it does look a bit new to me.  The gilt flight surgeon wings were only authorized for a relatively short period of time.  But no matter what, it is a lovely bird

[jeff41st]

Thanks Tod. So was that mandate lifted before the end of WWII or was if lifted post-WWII? I'll have to do some searches on this topic...

 

Yes Patrick it does have a new look to it. Only minimal tarnish on it. This design was discontinued in late 50s(?) So it seems that it would have to be from no later than that time period. Unless they are a reproduction? Although they don't seem to be.

[rustywings]

Jeff, as referenced by others, I too believe you've posted images of a beautiful and authentic WWII era Balfour-made Flight Nurse wing.  Attached are front and back images of two very similar Flight Nurse badges... one with the "Balfour" hallmark and the other nearly identical to your example with just the metal content stamp for comparison...  Your Flight Nurse badge is a very nice addition to your collection!

 

 

 

 

  

[5thwingmarty]

It looks like Balfour used two slightly different caduceus on these wings, one with fine horizontal lines behind the rod and one without the lines.  The feathers on the caduceus with the lines also have more details than on the one without the lines, and Jeff's wing matches Russ' non Balfour marked wing.  All very nice wings. 

[jeff41st]

1 hour ago, rustywings said:

Your Flight Nurse badge is a very nice addition to your collection!

Thanks Russ

 

31 minutes ago, 5thwingmarty said:

It looks like Balfour used two slightly different caduceus on these wings, one with fine horizontal lines behind the rod and one without the lines.  The feathers on the caduceus with the lines also have more details than on the one without the lines, and Jeff's wing matches Russ' non Balfour marked wing.  All very nice wings.

Marty, thanks for pointing the variation in the caduceus. I had not noticed that.

[B-17Guy]

Very nice wing!

I can add mine to the pile, has another variation of the back mark, like one of Russ'.

John

 

 

[644td]

Really nice