Submarine Dolphin identification

[Chrwag]

This dolphin has been on eBay for some time. I believe it to be a World War 2 Vanguard only marked Sterling as seen In David Jones book 76. Thoughts? 

[Josh B.]

I think I own an attributed set of these dolphins to a late wartime officer on REDFIN.
 

 I’m going off memory but pretty sure they are the same pattern.  I know have his patrol pin and other mixed insignia too.  I bought them from the officers niece via an intermediary several years ago.  
 

The ones pictured are steeply priced…collectors value known manufacturers patterns especially when provenance is lacking .

[Chrwag]

I am pretty sure those dolphin's are made by Vanguard and are wartime. I agree the  price is high but I never pay what they ask. This badge has been on eBay for a while so I think there is some negotiation room. The prices of WW2 Dolphins are pricey these days. I also look at Flying Tiger and they have a marked Vanguard set for $700. 
you mentioned the Redfin in you message and my father was assigned to that boat in the mid 60’s testing new sonar. he did in between duty in the Shark and Ray. The Redfin was used as a test  platform most of the 1960’s. I have a plaque and old picture of the Redfin from my Dad’s collection. 

[Josh B.]

I value provenance to establish insignia timeframe more than anything…Jones’s book has several sets of dolphins I’m pretty sure are post war, by my own 20+ years of looking at period photos plus many well documented wartime family groups. And my own family’s post war submarine service legacy and insignia.
 

But he did a pretty great job overall.  If I see a pattern with airtight pre46 dating I’m all for it regardless of being in a book or not.

 

In terms of pricing, Flying Tiger is a fantastic dealer but well known to be on the absolute high end of pricing.  If I were new to the game I’d write it off as the price of insurance… but as an individual I’d never expect to achieve similar selling values.

[Chrwag]

I’ve bought from Flying Tiger. I agree about the Jones book but it is the best reference guide available.

i think I’ll save my money on the eBay set and get the Vanguard. Like they “A fool and his money…..”.