Thank you for the letters, always interesting to read information from the original source. They had a number of trial sabres purchased in 1839, 500 from France, 500 from England and 600 from Germany, the German trial sabres were from S&K, this was followed by an 1840 contract with S&K for 2000. These would coincide with the date of the letters. I believe that Gebruder of Solingen used a Rooster marking, this is one of the companies selling sabres to the United states during the Civil War, they are one of the less common imported sabres. 

Congratulations Manu, a well deserved award for a fantastic dio!

German Proficiency Badge was my first thought as well. Usually these are worn on the left breast pocket but I have seen photos of U.S. soldiers wearing them above the right pocket on their class A uniform. As you can see countless cloth variations for the BDU do exist as well.    

Images got corrupted.

. What a storm last night . . . . . . . .   Well I would imagine that most D-Day visitors were pleased they were not here in tents last night, starting around 20h30 the rolling thunder could be heard approaching and then the lightening arrived as well and the torrential rainfall which knocked out all the internet wifi and mobile connections, and so by 22h00 there was nothing to do so off to bed.   I had been trying to post the photos below during the storm and it was continually impossible.  All this month the images of a medal award ceremony have been projected onto the front of the old cinema / theatre,  this award ceremony was held in the same square 23 June 1944. two 88mm shells were fired into the town from German guns and just one loss of life occurred an eight year old flower girl.       Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 14  2O25.    ….      

Possible he was prior enlisted and trained as a gunner then applied for pilot training

Bit of bird dogging tonight and saw this one on FB Mkt out of Overland Park , KS.     

It appears to be from the 1933 American Emblems contract. These are not identifiable by number. This one is probably in the 40,000 to 60,000 range.

If you will share the # or number range within 1000, I.e. “15,000” , I can tell you the dates it fits between with my collection and info I have. It is definitely a 1930s issue as Dave mentions.   Bill

One more week!