Are these WWII Miniature Command Pilot Wings?

[WarRelics]

I posted these in the Facebook forum group without a response so I’m going to give it a shot here. My recent acquisition was a set of miniature command pilot wings that are 2 inches long and hallmarked sterling silver. They have quarter inch prongs which you would usually find on clutch backs of that period. I believe that they are probably wartime or immediately post war period but I have learned it never hurts to run something by more experienced pairs of eyes. All opinions are welcomed.

[USMCR79]

I am not a big wing collector but this set of wings were made for wear with an Officer’s Mess Dress uniform - I think these wings are from the 1950’s or 60’s and made by Vanguard.

 

Bill

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Yes, miniature command pilot wings. I would also say post-war in terms of finish and them not being sterling (sterling is obscured).

[WarRelics]

I cleaned these up a bit. Is there anything else you can see here? I’m not questioning the assessment. Thanks in advance. 

[pfrost]

I think Tod is spot on, probably KW/post KW time period.  That pattern is usually attributed to post war wings.  Remember, that when the senior and command pilot ratings were established none of the WWII trained pilots (which represented a HUGE increase in the USAAF) would have been eligible for the senior (7 years of flying) or command (10 years of flying) ratings until the KW war time period. 

 

Actually finding a WWII worn senior or command pilot wing is rather difficult simiply because there were so few individuals (they would have been senior officers trained pre-war (in the 1930's) to fly).  Not to be a nit picker, but almost ALL (or at least the VAST majority) of the senior and command pilot wings you find are going to be post WWII.

 

Its a nice solid wing, but more than likely not WWII vintage.

[WarRelics]

Okay thanks Pfrost. I wasn’t questioning their judgement on it. They like you have much more experience than I do. Experience wise it’s the difference between veteran professional athletes and 3rd string high school players, me being the latter. After I cleaned them up a bit I realized that they were right. The only thing I had a small question about was whether they were sterling or not. The hallmark is scored through which I take it means that they aren’t. That makes sense if that’s the case. Many thanks to you for your detailed explanation. Also thanks again to USMCR79 and rathbonemusem for your responses as well.