Unusual Vintage 7th Special Forces Group Unit Crest/Flash Pin

[AirMechanic]

Does anyone know anything about this special forces unit crest? The crest is made of 3 pieces, with the early style “skull” crest with drilled holes, a red 7th SFG flash that appears to simulate cloth or wood grain/texturing (it is actually made of painted metal), and a pin on the back. I believe this dates to the 1960s and is perhaps a sweetheart pin. Does anyone know for sure what it is and when it dates from? Any help is appreciated!

[rlyoun3910]

These types of ersatz patches were common in the 60s/70s. Some lingered around when I was in group in the early 80s. You could procure them at some of the sewing shops on Bragg Boulevard or Yadkin. The pin back mimics those of the French. In earlier times, the beret was worn similar to French and British style: the flat portion, upraised part of the headgear was worn over the left brow and ear. This flash looks rather well kept. The pin backs were favored so they could be removed when entering the field. The crest is the well-known, often sought after "dueling skulls" type crests available to the troopers.  When in 10th Group, you could get the "skulls" crest at several shops. Kulka in Augsburg used to make them or procure them from somewhere. A good place to query is the Airborne/Special Forces Museum in Fayetteville NC: Website: asomf.org Address: 100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: (910) 643-2778; or get ahold of the USASOC historian.  The Museum has an incredible collection. The USASOC historian can help you determine either providence or authenticity. See also: https://military-insignia.us/Pages/SpecOpsInsignia/SOF-DUI.html Troopers wore ersatz airborne backing/flash as well. The rigidness looked sharp, held its color longer.

[AirMechanic]

Thanks for the info!

[sfcollector]

This is a novelty item / sweetheart pin sold in the mid-1960’s capitalizing on the popularity of, and public mystic surrounding, the Army’s Special Forces, appearing around the same time as the comic book series “Tales of the Green Beret”, John Wayne’s movie “The Green Berets”, and Barry Sandler’s song “The Ballad of the Green Berets”.

 

According to what I’ve been told, these were sold at the book store located in the Smoke Bomb Hill area on base at Fort Bragg.

 

Pictured below is a necklace similar to the pin, still attached to its original merchandising card.

 

 

[patches]

On 8/21/2022 at 1:51 PM, sfcollector said:

This is a novelty item / sweetheart pin sold in the mid-1960’s capitalizing on the popularity of, and public mystic surrounding, the Army’s Special Forces, appearing around the same time as the comic book series “Tales of the Green Beret”, John Wayne’s movie “The Green Berets”, and Barry Sandler’s song “The Ballad of the Green Berets”.

 

According to what I’ve been told, these were sold at the book store located in the Smoke Bomb Hill area on base at Fort Bragg.

 

Pictured below is a necklace similar to the pin, still attached to its original merchandising card.

 

 

Excellent post there, never would of guessed that.