WW1 Insignia Variant?

[MWDVET]

Hello all. I have seen this variant of Dental and Veterinary Corps insignia a couple of times. They are proposed to be WW1 era, but I have not seen them in the Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms book. Possibly theater made? Any thoughts?

[KurtA]

Really need reverse photos. 

[MWDVET]

Thanks for the quick response. Here are the backs of each insignia. DC is left and VC is right.

[MWDVET]

DC first…VC is second.

[QED4]

If you are referring to the way the letters are intertwined, it is just a manufacturing variation. If you mean the fact that there are two letters rather than the more common single letter V or D then they are in the book you mention.  The letters do appear to be an after thought added later possibly by a jeweler.    

[JohnK83882]

DC means Dentist Corps and VC means Veterinary Corps according to ebay listings.

 

Veterinary Corps insignia identified here. https://militarycollectorshq.com/store-catalog/ols/products/wwi-us-veterinary-corp-medical-insignia-collar-pin-item-5479

 

Both identified here, from 

 

 

[JohnK83882]

Better poster here. https://www.army.mil/article/208933/visual_history_world_war_i_medical_posters

 

 

[MWDVET]

Thank you both for your quick responses. I was more interested in what you alluded to in that they may have been added as an afterthought and possibly added later. The lettering style is not what I have seen before and is a bit interesting compared to the normal styles. 
 

I wonder if others have seen this style of lettering since it is across different Corps.

[QED4]

You are right the letter style is odd that is why I think they may have been added to existing plain medical insignia. The letters don't seem to be of the same quality as the caduceus. They  may have been added by a dealer because he had plenty of the basic medical insignia and only needed a few of these so he made the letters and addd them himself.  By dealer I mean someone that sold insignia to soldiers back in the day not someone who sells insignia to collectors today they are, I'm sure, original.  It may have been done by an officer who could only get the plain caduceus and took them to jeweler and had the letters added. I don't think we will ever know for sure why they look different or who made them.

[MWDVET]

Thank you for circling back and providing your thoughts. These are a very interesting variant to me and highlights the pride these soldiers had in their specific corps. To take the time and spend the money to ensure they were ‘different’ says a lot.

Thanks again.