New WWII CBI? pilot wing acquisition. Gorgeous!

[danimal03]

Hello,

I recently picked with what I think is a "CBI" pilot wing.  I personally have never seen this pattern before. Really well made. Lightweight. I assess as Indian made.  Hallmark is "925" with an English style hook.  The 'wing tops' on this wing resemble an eagle profile.  I have several Indian made wings and Pakistani wings in my collection, and I really think these are Indian made.  Any comments and opinions welcome.  cheers!

[LuftStalg1]

It's an interesting and well made wing. What does the hinge look like?

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Hi. Can you post a straight on pic of the back please?

[danimal03]

sorry for the delay.  I am away from my computer most of the day.  Here are a couple of pics of the back.  Wing is pretty large.  I would guess about 3.75 inches.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Fascinating. It is a cool looking wing and have never seen one like this before. Clearly the work of a silversmith/jeweler. A couple of hints I see. The .925 is typically a continental European mark for sterling grade silver. Also that barrel hinge and pin are strikingly Germanic. So I would turn from India and China and consider other possible sources. Great piece!

[danimal03]

interesting points.  I was wondering about the 925 mark as well.  It had me scratching my head.  Thank you for the comments and alternate origin locations!

[katieony]

They are definitely unique wings!  Never saw anything like them before.

[Tonomachi]

15 hours ago, rathbonemuseum.com said:

Fascinating. It is a cool looking wing and have never seen one like this before. Clearly the work of a silversmith/jeweler. A couple of hints I see. The .925 is typically a continental European mark for sterling grade silver. Also that barrel hinge and pin are strikingly Germanic. So I would turn from India and China and consider other possible sources. Great piece!

A month or so ago I picked up with a buy it now option on eBay an advertised unidentified paratrooper wing that the seller thought might be fake however I felt it was a WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wing so I wasted no time in purchasing it.   If you go to Les Hughes website It is pictured amongst the various iterations of metal WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wings (link attached).  I'm assuming these were made somewhere in the CBI Theater and it is also hallmarked 925 like the above pilot wing.  I know that OSS Detachment 101 wore their version of the CIB that they referred to as the Burma Bar which was made in India and stamped STERLING.  The Chinese Commandos were I believe formed and trained by OSS Detachment 202 in China so is it possible that a jeweler in the CBI Theater used the European 925 (9.25 percent sterling silver) mark?    

 

http://www.insigne.org/OSS-commandos.htm

 

 

[danimal03]

Interesting. Thank you for the information and link!

[rathbonemuseum.com]

11 hours ago, Tonomachi said:

A month or so ago I picked up with a buy it now option on eBay an advertised unidentified paratrooper wing that the seller thought might be fake however I felt it was a WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wing so I wasted no time in purchasing it.   If you go to Les Hughes website It is pictured amongst the various iterations of metal WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wings (link attached).  I'm assuming these were made somewhere in the CBI Theater and it is also hallmarked 925 like the above pilot wing.  I know that OSS Detachment 101 wore their version of the CIB that they referred to as the Burma Bar which was made in India and stamped STERLING.  The Chinese Commandos were I believe formed and trained by OSS Detachment 202 in China so is it possible that a jeweler in the CBI Theater used the European 925 (9.25 percent sterling silver) mark?    

 

http://www.insigne.org/OSS-commandos.htm

 

 

yes. .925. Also, very typical tall block hinge you find on Chinese made insignia. The barrel hinge on OP’s wing has me stumped.

[pfrost]

Its just my opinion, but I would lean more towards "sweetheart" or patriotic jewelry, myself. But still really neat.

[danimal03]

thank you.  I was wondering the same thing.  cheers!