1930s Gemsco pilot wing

[manayunkman]

Never had one of these before and it’s construction threw me off at first.

 

Belonged to Thomas Dean USAAF WW2.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

What about the construction threw you off?

[manayunkman]

15 minutes ago, rathbonemuseum.com said:

What about the construction threw you off?

Im used to seeing the later style Gemsco wing and wasn’t familiar with this one.

 

They are different.

[manayunkman]

This is the one I was familiar with.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

I actually think the one you posted as later is an earlier model based on design aesthetic and hallmark style but I could be wrong. The initial design you posted i actually find to be a lot more common, meaning more of them were produced.

[manayunkman]

I found one on a dealer sight, a member here. 
 

They must be mistaken. 
 

On the other hand this is the first time I’ve encountered this wing but certainly not the first one I’ve found.

 

Thanks so much for the correction.

 

 

[pfrost]

I would agree with Tod. The OP wing pattern is also seen in other ratings from WW2 ( AC, gunner, navigator alphabet wings)

 

I MHO the other wing ( Adams design) is the earlier version 

 

nice wing none the less. Thanks for sharing

[manayunkman]

1 hour ago, pfrost said:

I would agree with Tod. The OP wing pattern is also seen in other ratings from WW2 ( AC, gunner, navigator alphabet wings)

 

I MHO the other wing ( Adams design) is the earlier version 

 

nice wing none the less. Thanks for sharing

Which wing is that?

[pfrost]

This pattern.  Here is an AC version. But you see them in almost all the WWII ratings.

[pfrost]

This other pattern is more likely the earlier version.

But I am not 100% sure GEMSCO actually manufactured their wings. I suspect that like some other retail companies, they purchased from outside wholesalers who made the wings for them.

 

Dates are always relative and meaningless outside any true facts (its all just opinion at the end of the day). But I do think the first version that you showed is probably not 1930's vintage, more than likely a good war time (1942-- on) vintage.

[manayunkman]

This is the wing I found on line that’s advertised as 1930s.

 

The clasp is different than mine but the wing itself looks almost the same.

 

Do I have to say who the picture came from?

 

[pfrost]

I don't think you have to say anything, but it's a polite thing to do.  There is a "fair use" doctrine, a legal principle that allows the reproduction of copyrighted material without the copyright owner's permission under certain conditions. Educational purposes (such as this forum) should fall under the fair use of images.

 

I don't think the forum should be a 100% judge or jury of what other people say (especially if they are trying to sell you something), in any case. Also, it's your collection, and you are pretty savvy and educated collector, so I am sure you cam decide what you think is correct.  LOL.  Its not like you are a newbie getting ready to toss away your mortgage payment on a fantasy.

 

Its a nice wing, but in my opinion (for what that is wort--and that and a few dollars can get you a cup of starbucks coffee) these are not from the 1930's.

 

[manayunkman]

1 hour ago, pfrost said:

I don't think you have to say anything, but it's a polite thing to do.  There is a "fair use" doctrine, a legal principle that allows the reproduction of copyrighted material without the copyright owner's permission under certain conditions. Educational purposes (such as this forum) should fall under the fair use of images.

 

I don't think the forum should be a 100% judge or jury of what other people say (especially if they are trying to sell you something), in any case. Also, it's your collection, and you are pretty savvy and educated collector, so I am sure you cam decide what you think is correct.  LOL.  Its not like you are a newbie getting ready to toss away your mortgage payment on a fantasy.

 

Its a nice wing, but in my opinion (for what that is wort--and that and a few dollars can get you a cup of starbucks coffee) these are not from the 1930's.

 

Thank you for thinking I know what I’m doing because i question it constantly and learn something new all the time.

 

Im certain im learning something new here as well because im not necessarily a wing collector and my knowledge is limited.

 

You gentleman however are used to seeing wings, know wings and you all had the same take on my wing.

 

It would make sense too because he didn’t become a pilot until the later part of the war.

 

Thank you to all who gave their time and knowledge to help me out.

 

Never the less here are 3 wings to one Pilot.

 

 

[5thwingmarty]

Many sellers are very loose with their descriptions as to the age of their wings.  1930's vintage implies more valuable, and who has the hard proof as to when any specific pattern of wing was first produced.  At best we can look at when specific ratings were established to say roughly when wings for those rates would have first been produced.  For Pilot wings the best we can potentially do is look at the styles of wings and see which ratings were made in similar styles.  Similar styes implies similar vintage, but again is not hard proof.  I would also presume that wings that are the most similar to the original Adams design would have been made by or for a company before very dissimilar designs.