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Model 1937 EM Service Cover Emblem


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Shown is the WWII "Economy Plastic" Enlisted Service Cover Emblem. I am not exactly sure which year the plastic pattern was adopted, but I believe it to be sometime in 1943, or shortly after war time strategic metals bans on bronze and brass went into effect.

 

The only differences noticed in the plastic cover emblems I have encountered are colors, which range from medium chocolate brown to very dark brown (almost black). Also observed are two distinctly different rollers, with one pattern having a shorter finger-thumb grip. >>>---> Gary

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Also of interest, embossed numbers will be found on the reverses of the "economy plastic" cover emblems. Some collectors believe these numbers are maker's codes, but I believe they are nothing more than production run numbers to be used in case of high numbers of breakage or other defects in any given production run. So far, I have encountered numbers 1, 2 and 4 with a 2 to 1 find rate on 4's over the other numbers. If anyone has numbers other than what are shown, please let me know, so I can add those to my records. >>>---> Gary

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  • 2 months later...

I just got the EGA below. I've had a pair of WW-II plastic lapel EGAs for some time but was not previously aware that the Marines also had plastic EGAs for the service (barracks) cover. Exept for the size, the fouled anchor, and the fact that the eagle's wings bent backward (and the size, of course) it looks just like my plastic lapel EGAs.

 

Any comments?

 

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The cap ornaments are harder to find than the collar size. I have a uniform to a 2nd MarDiv Corporal that has all plastic ornaments (cap and collars) which is unusual. I have heard these plastic pieces were somewhat unpopular with many Gyrenes and probably many were replaced with the bronze when possible.

For awhile these plastic egas were fetching pretty good prices, but they seem to have gone down quite a bit over the past couple of years.

 

CB

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teufelhunde.ret

These emblems are a very unique piece of wartime economy measures. The substance is actually Bakelite as is still used today to manufacture various products. Unfortunately they were not "Marine proof" thus did not last very long. More broken piece abound than those intact. They can be hand in sets for a reasonable price. That will change, as the EGA hobby advances and folks realize the diminished numbers in existence. Gary is attempting to determine the numbering system associated with the collar series, a link below.

 

Collars: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...p?showforum=509

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I bought one a few years back, as well. I see them fetching from 60-75 bucks at shows. As stated, they're more uncommon than their collar counterparts

 

Nice example. Mine curves the same way, and is marked in the same place

 

mine is on the first link Teufelhunde.ret has provided

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  • 4 months later...
robert60446

Hi guys,

I was just reviewing this thread about plastic EGA’s and Gary was puzzled by numbers on the reverse side of EGA (1, 2 and 4). I strongly believe these are not manufacturer’s codes, but rather mold numbers. Even today it is a common practice to number injection molds used by makers. Any other thoughts?

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teufelhunde.ret

Robert... Thats an inquisitive thought and suggestion that had never crossed my mind and certainly deserves more consideration. The possible (and likely) merit to your suggestion is the type of marking that were exhibited on the reverse of the cap emblems. I presume that mold numbers were very much in use for tracking wear patterns as well as final product quality controls.

 

You may very well have stumbled onto something... I love it....! Hope to hear the thoughts of others. s/f Darrell

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robert60446
I presume that mold numbers were very much in use for tracking wear patterns as well as final product quality controls.

 

Darrell, you are absolutely correct. Molds are usually numbered to help to track any production errors to the source – in this case mold. It is especially useful practice in mass production to ensure production quality. This could be also answer to why number 3 is not very common, maybe because mold #3 was faulted (or maybe was held in reserve).

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  • 4 weeks later...
robert60446

Hi guys,

Finally I have my M37 Plastic Cover Cap. It is with small crack visible on the reverse, but hey, I’m not going to complain…

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