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The Combat Infantryman Badge


Steve B.
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Here are two badges made by the same manufacturer, we can see this in the wreath and rifle patterns. I originally bought them thinking they were theater made, but am now pretty sure they are US made. They are not to gov't specs, but would have been private purchase.

 

 

 

 

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This 1st award badge has had stars added to make it a 3rd award badge. Stars were spaced too far apart (in order to give more surface for solder I think). Again, private purchase US made. Quite a few manufacturers (US and foreign) didn't change their dies but found it cheaper to just add stars to their existing badges. I have also attached what one expects to see with a standard US gov't contract 3rd award badge (1 piece construction) for comparison. See also badge in post #1777.

 

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Cobra 6 Actual

Four variations of a 2nd Award CIB:

 

post-159798-0-44706900-1521052922.jpeg

 

Top left: US made with oversize star, no hallmark

 

Top right: Chinese made, no hallmark

 

Bottom left: Vietnam made, no hallmark

 

Bottom right: Sterling silver Mil-spec by Silverman Brothers, hallmark

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BigJohn#3RD

 

One of my all-time favorite styles! I don't suppose yours is marked? Here are mine, both unmarked.

 

 

Is it possible to post pictures of the backs as well? Do they have long pins or pinback? Thanks in advance.

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BigJohn#3RD

Four variations of a 2nd Award CIB:

 

attachicon.gifADDDB669-A2D4-429A-8A58-5AB34E7E1E6D.jpeg

 

Top left: US made with oversize star, no hallmark

 

Top right: Chinese made, no hallmark

 

Bottom left: Vietnam made, no hallmark

 

Bottom right: Sterling silver Mil-spec by Silverman Brothers, hallmark

Is it possible to post pictures of the backs as well? Do they have long pins or pinback? I would like to see how the star is on the badge? Was it made in the mold or attached later? Thanks in advance.

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Cobra 6 Actual

You are welcome, Big John. The pinback, skinny wreath 1st Award CIB that I posted has no hallmarks on the reverse. I think you wanted to see the back of the 2nd Award CIB that rd12 posted so you could see how the star was attached. Is that correct?

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Is it possible to post pictures of the backs as well? Do they have long pins or pinback? Thanks in advance.

 

Here you go BigJohn#3RD - these are the backs of the badges I had posted.

post-122639-0-20946900-1521579431.jpg

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And here's another interesting one. This badge has been pinned to a piece of thick paper wrapped in black cloth - giving it a black background and making stand out from the uniform a bit. It has also been sewn to the background with green thread. It appears to be a standard WW2 sterling badge.

 

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Cobra 6 Actual

Thanks, rd12. Actually, there is a wee blue chip just above the stock and another blue chip just below the top left side of the wreath.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here's a picture of an interesting Bullion CIB I pulled from eBay; 37th ID SSI on right sleeve, CBI SSI on left sleeve, 147th Infantry DIs - but the CIB is redish/pink color.

Did the GI just want something that stood out? Is there meaning behind the color? Was he Artillery and switched to Infantry?

 

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