Observer wing Question

[cerick1450]

Hello

Are these clutch back wings ww2 era, or later?  They are marked Vanguard NY and what looks like IV below.  I cannot see a sterling mark.  Are they sterling?

thank you

 

[cerick1450]

I just found on this forum that the IV marking was adopted post WW2-early 1960's.  It does not say anything about if thery are sterling.  Could these be sterling?

Thank you

[rathbonemuseum.com]

If they are sterling they are predominantly marked sterling.

 

Sterling wings were primarily a WWII phenomenon born out of the strategic materials act, meaning common materials to make brass were reserved for more important war materials. It was common before WWII and after WWII to make insignia as affordably as possible to maximize margins. After the war, you see configurations that are silver fill, silver plate, nickel alloys etc. 

 

Also, the wing you posted is the newly redesigned 1951 USAF navigator pattern that replaced the earlier USAAF observer, navigator and bombardier wings. So anything that looks like that is going to be post WWII.

[5thwingmarty]

A  jeweler might be able to test it to tell if it is sterling or not.

[cerick1450]

Thank you

[KurtA]

If a pair of 1950's wings with a Vanguard hallmark were sterling, they would have been marked sterling, 

[cerick1450]

Thank you for the help