The following is my observations and opinions over the years of collecting paratrooper wings.   I've come across similar types of paratrooper wings that all seem to have the same characteristics being made of a base of brass metal, silver coating, reverse stamped image on the back and clutch back.  They are cheaply made and seem to have been produced at the end of the occupation era and into the 1960s.  I believe they were produced both in Japan and South Korea.   I have attached photos of a number of these paratrooper wings below.  I was only able to find one exact match in my photo reference library (Photos 10 & 11) along with a glider trooper wing and an 11th Abn Div SSI.  It is hard to tell from this photograph but the front has been modified as it is a so called clipped wing.  The above paratrooper wing looks like it was once painted black which I have no explanation for as subdued paratrooper wings weren't around until the late 1960s.  I agree that these clutch back pins with the wide circular base had been added later.  This paratrooper wing may have used a slightly thicker blank initially as the reverse image isn't as well defined as these other examples so it might be slightly older being produced in the 1950s and not into the 1960s like these other wings using thinner blanks.      

I personally do not like the bar, it looks like it was put together recently, the stitching is beyond atrocious. Most men back in the day knew how to sew, it was a necessity, that stitching is suspect, IMO. And after decades of doing this, I don't know what it is, but I just don't like the ribbon bar, it just doesn't look right to me. 

Thank you!  Sadly, I was conned in a classic "bait & switch".  The seller had this sword up for a ridiculously low price.  Though my spidey senses were tingling, there was the possibility that it was low priced due to ignorance.  I've gotten incredible scores like that in the past.  As it turns out, this was a "sold' item, according to the seller who just happened to have a load of cheap Chinese and Pakistani garbage blades for sale, if I wanted to see them instead.  

thanks! One other spot I always try and look in… never pass up a section of ladies hats. You’ll never miss a good beret , if you take a minute to dig. 

Yes, some nice photos. 

CORTRON 8

Like this one... US Naval Policeman Pearl Harbor ticketing vehicle at Bravo Piers

Thank you!

Hey, SonofNamVet, let me get back to you tomorrow as I have the three-volume set of “The First Infantry Division in Vietnam” on my bookshelf. I’m pretty sure that it includes some detailed information on 1st Med. My recollection is that it did “soup to nuts” of anything medical, but I’d like to confirm that.   I also have the Shelby Stanton “Vietnam Order of Battle: A Complete Illustrated Reference to U.S. Army Combat and Support Forces in Vietnam 1961-1973” book and vaguely recall it had some information, too. Mañana.    

BRACE!! 20 Lashes