Ebay listing for bullion 509th Geronimo AB. Fugazi?

[Yossarian7.62]

People seem to be bidding it up, but I can't find any examples that match this and it screams repro, but the back looks period and people are bidding it up.

 

Thoughts?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/267683064117?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20211130125621%26meid%3D94818af382364a3586aad932f5d58917%26pid%3D101465%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D267683064117%26itm%3D267683064117%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D3817808&_trksid=p3817808.c101465.m3507

[Tonomachi]

I'm with you that this is a reproduction as it doesn't match any of the known originals that I am aware of.  The vendor does not claim to be a patch expert but believes that this might be a rare and original piece coming out of an old collection from a deceased Korean War veteran.  He or she further states  that he or she is an honest ebayer unlike most these days as he or she prides himself or herself in honesty yet he or she does not accept returns.   The postage at 20 dollars is kind of high.  The bidding with 18 hours to go is a little above 100 dollars.  Original bullion 509th P.I.R. patches probably sell for close to 1000 dollars or more now a days so these bidders are probably new collectors and the vendor may or may not realize that he or she is selling an outright fake patch.    

[Yossarian7.62]

 

1 hour ago, Tonomachi said:

I'm with you that this is a reproduction as it doesn't match any of the known originals that I am aware of.  The vendor does not claim to be a patch expert but believes that this might be a rare and original piece coming out of an old collection from a deceased Korean War veteran.  He or she further states  that he or she is an honest ebayer unlike most these days as he or she prides himself or herself in honesty yet he or she does not accept returns.   The postage at 20 dollars is kind of high.  The bidding with 18 hours to go is a little above 100 dollars.  Original bullion 509th P.I.R. patches probably sell for close to 1000 dollars or more now a days so these bidders are probably new collectors and the vendor may or may not realize that he or she is selling an outright fake patch.    

Exactly what I was thinking. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. It is a pretty good fake though. If it were not >$100, it would be fun to have to stick on a jacket or something. 

[JerseyDevil117]

3 hours ago, Tonomachi said:

I'm with you that this is a reproduction as it doesn't match any of the known originals that I am aware of.  The vendor does not claim to be a patch expert but believes that this might be a rare and original piece coming out of an old collection from a deceased Korean War veteran.  He or she further states  that he or she is an honest ebayer unlike most these days as he or she prides himself or herself in honesty yet he or she does not accept returns.   The postage at 20 dollars is kind of high.  The bidding with 18 hours to go is a little above 100 dollars.  Original bullion 509th P.I.R. patches probably sell for close to 1000 dollars or more now a days so these bidders are probably new collectors and the vendor may or may not realize that he or she is selling an outright fake patch.    

Why does it need to be WW2? The unit was reactivated in the early 60s, had a German made pocket patch similar design. At that time tour jackets were popular aswell. 

[Tonomachi]

4 hours ago, JerseyDevil117 said:

Why does it need to be WW2? The unit was reactivated in the early 60s, had a German made pocket patch similar design. At that time tour jackets were popular aswell. 

I have seen what collectors have identified as German made patches of this design from this time period but I've never seen a bullion version.

[collectsmedals]

My father was 509 PIR in WW2. This patch looks very similar to some of the ones he picked up at a 509 reunion.

[Yossarian7.62]

On 6/3/2026 at 4:49 PM, Tonomachi said:

I'm with you that this is a reproduction as it doesn't match any of the known originals that I am aware of.  The vendor does not claim to be a patch expert but believes that this might be a rare and original piece coming out of an old collection from a deceased Korean War veteran.  He or she further states  that he or she is an honest ebayer unlike most these days as he or she prides himself or herself in honesty yet he or she does not accept returns.   The postage at 20 dollars is kind of high.  The bidding with 18 hours to go is a little above 100 dollars.  Original bullion 509th P.I.R. patches probably sell for close to 1000 dollars or more now a days so these bidders are probably new collectors and the vendor may or may not realize that he or she is selling an outright fake patch.    

 

On 6/3/2026 at 6:20 PM, Yossarian7.62 said:

 

Exactly what I was thinking. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. It is a pretty good fake though. If it were not >$100, it would be fun to have to stick on a jacket or something. 

 

On 6/3/2026 at 8:50 PM, JerseyDevil117 said:

Why does it need to be WW2? The unit was reactivated in the early 60s, had a German made pocket patch similar design. At that time tour jackets were popular aswell. 

 

13 hours ago, collectsmedals said:

My father was 509 PIR in WW2. This patch looks very similar to some of the ones he picked up at a 509 reunion.

 

darn... I should have bought it.