ARVN Jump Wings

[m1a2u2]

I've tried searching the forums but have not found any in depth discussion on these.  I've seen people say these ARVN jump wings are U.S. made during the war. Others have said after the war and were sold in PXs.

 

Were any of this style (black wings and green background) made in country? If so, what are the tell tales? 

[KurtA]

I bought one just like it in the early 70’s from Denmark’ s (Military insignia manufacturer in NYC) through their mail order catalog.   So it is “wartime” manufacture.    
 

[Tonomachi]

Whenever I saw one of these sewn on fatigues I always thought post war or made up put together uniform.   However I was wrong as these were apparently available for sale during the war.  Below is a picture of a mint packaged one made by the Ira Green Company that may have been available for sale at the PX during the war.  To my knowledge as I collect SVN paratrooper wings this particular wing has always been thought of as being US made.

 

 

[KurtA]

I dug out my old sales flyer for the company (Topper Merchandising, which was actually Denmarks)  from which I purchased my insignia back in the early 70's.  I believe 1972.

The airborne and ranger pictured are the actual ones that came in the mail from them 50 or so years ago. 

I think the sales flyer pictured is from 1974, as I see they were selling airmobile badges.  I recall an earlier sales flyer pictured the  Vietnam insignia, as that's how I knew what I was buying.

To the left of the Airborne Wings, you can see the "Vietnam"  Parachute and Ranger insignia were 60 cents each (cloth subdued).   That may seem "cheap" now, but back then paying 60 cents for essentially a "patch" was a substantial purchase for me. 

[m1a2u2]

1 hour ago, KurtA said:

I dug out my old sales flyer for the company (Topper Merchandising, which was actually Denmarks)  from which I purchased my insignia back in the early 70's.  I believe 1972.

The airborne and ranger pictured are the actual ones that came in the mail from them 50 or so years ago. 

I think the sales flyer pictured is from 1974, as I see they were selling airmobile badges.  I recall an earlier sales flyer pictured the  Vietnam insignia, as that's how I knew what I was buying.

To the left of the Airborne Wings, you can see the "Vietnam"  Parachute and Ranger insignia were 60 cents each (cloth subdued).   That may seem "cheap" now, but back then paying 60 cents for essentially a "patch" was a substantial purchase for me. 

 

Wow! Great response. Talk about primary sources!

[triplecanopy]

There are numerous examples on the World Military Forum website and I can post additional photos if there is interest.

Look at:  https://www.worldmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/319888-south-vietnam-parachute-badges-and-airborne-insignia-rvn/

[m1a2u2]

1 hour ago, triplecanopy said:

There are numerous examples on the World Military Forum website and I can post additional photos if there is interest.

Look at:  https://www.worldmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/319888-south-vietnam-parachute-badges-and-airborne-insignia-rvn/

 

Thanks. If there is anything that talks about differentiating US made vs. Local made, that would be awesome. 

[doyler]

The thread and sewing machine details often give you the basic information when or where made. The Vietnamese cotton thread was different when seen in hand and often faded faster due to the type of dye they used which was organic based. Also there are woven versions but also copies and fakes of these. Here are examples I have that I bought in 1984 that are copies/fakes of the woven wings. I believe these were made in Taiwan and I sourced them from Kent Spaulding of Alpine Texas who had Alpine Books. Kent made a lot of the early copies of the Vietnam era patches and would also have them made for veteran's associations.  His patches would often have the wax paper type backing that would peel off or degrade if washed. The backing could still bee seen around the edges on the back even if removed. 

 

These are the wings and when I bought them they were 30 in the roll all uncut. From the front they looked decent but the tell is the back where the yellow threads run out to both edges. Originals the thread dont show this characteristic. This goes for all the woven patches. If you see loosed thread to the edges thats a post war patch. 

 

 

[m1a2u2]

7 hours ago, doyler said:

The thread and sewing machine details often give you the basic information when or where made. The Vietnamese cotton thread was different when seen in hand and often faded faster due to the type of dye they used which was organic based. Also there are woven versions but also copies and fakes of these. Here are examples I have that I bought in 1984 that are copies/fakes of the woven wings. I believe these were made in Taiwan and I sourced them from Kent Spaulding of Alpine Texas who had Alpine Books. Kent made a lot of the early copies of the Vietnam era patches and would also have them made for veteran's associations.  His patches would often have the wax paper type backing that would peel off or degrade if washed. The backing could still bee seen around the edges on the back even if removed. 

 

These are the wings and when I bought them they were 30 in the roll all uncut. From the front they looked decent but the tell is the back where the yellow threads run out to both edges. Originals the thread dont show this characteristic. This goes for all the woven patches. If you see loosed thread to the edges thats a post war patch. 

 

 

 

Thanks! So no way to tell without looking at the rear of the patch?

[doyler]

2 hours ago, m1a2u2 said:

 

Thanks! So no way to tell without looking at the rear of the patch?

 

 

Looking at the back is the quickest way. They do have a stiffer feel in hand.  The weave is different and can also be a clue once you know what to look for but look good at a drive by.

[Tonomachi]

On 9/2/2024 at 1:54 PM, m1a2u2 said:

 

Thanks. If there is anything that talks about differentiating US made vs. Local made, that would be awesome. 

Here are photos of two US made ARVN paratrooper wings (Photo 1 & 2) that appear to have been uniform removed.   The top one is what you usually come across and is closer in appearance to the ARVN Army paratrooper wing while the bottom one looks more like the ARVN LLDB Special Forces paratrooper wing.   In the next two photos (3 & 4) you can see the differences between the US made ARVN paratrooper wing (top) and a South Vietnamese made ARVN paratrooper wing.

 

 

[Tonomachi]

Below are all being sold as reproductions but the problem is once they are sold as such they can turn up again as being genuine or be sewn on a uniform to enhance its value.  Some of them look really convincing.  Now I am not sure if the one pictured above is authentic.