In my research, I came across a reference to the book *Les insignes de l'aéronautique militaire française jusqu'en 1918* as one of the most comprehensive works on French insignia. Since PFROST mentioned in one of the posts that this book have pages dedicated to "unofficial" badges, the jewelry-store brooches, I would like to ask if anyone of you happen to own this book and if would be kind enough to copy the pages that describe and illustrate the badges I am interested in. It would be a significant contribution to the article I am writing on the History of the badges of Brazilian military Aviation, which began around 1919. The Armed Forces were heavily influenced by French aviation; the Brazilian government had established an agreement known as the "French Mission" to train the entire Brazilian Army, among other activities. Indeed, several aviators even took aviation courses in France. Brazilian aviators began wearing brooches purchased from French jewelry stores as their pilot badges, following the example of their French counterparts. These brooches mostly depicted eagles (though other birds appeared in some cases) and were primarily purchased from firms such as FIX, ORIA, and MURAT (see attached). This practice spread throughout Brazil, as there were no official regulations at the time. Later, in the mid-1930s, Army Aviation issued regulations specifying the standards and design for the pilot badge. By the way, the brevet designs were heavily inspired by those French brooches, particularly the ones from FIX! (see an example, attached,) P.S.: Another challenge I am facing is the lack of any firsthand account from a pilot or expert confirming that military aviators of that era actually purchased these brooches specifically to wear as identifiers of their status as pilots! All of these accounts come from secondary sources...

Hello all,   I picked this up today from the veteran’s widow. This man was an MP with the 23rd MP Co. from October 1968 until October 1969.  The highlight of the group is his VN made vinyl brassard.

Just an update, I found out the thread pitch size is 4-40 used on the Robbins original posts. If anyone is ever missing any, that is what you want to look for to fit it.

OK, so final word on this is, the ones with a "smear" on the back, it's actually just the word "STERLING" that has been silver soldered over. Not sure why? As Chris said, maybe done in Coin Silver? A mystery.  I have put 2 side by side, one with the full wording and one with it obliterated and they are identical.    

Wanting to share this, from research not many of these survived after thew war.  The letter was mailed to a soldier in C Co. 19th  Infantry 24th Div.  from Mississippi on Nov.28, 1950. while it was enroute the soldier was wounded and captured 1/1/1951. It has handwritten on the left Missing, and signed Robert C. Watson 1st. Lt. Inf.  then there is a circle with c-19 in it for his company. stamped over the address in a purple box is VERIFIED MISSING IN ACTION AG SEC. GHQ, FEC. E. C. GAULT COLONEL, AGC, ASST. ADJ. GEM. At the top is as stanp of a hand with a pointing finger RETURNED TO SENDER. On the back is an APO 500 cancel dated Feb 19, 1951. 

Nice group, too bad they didn’t have anything else to this person.

Judging by the pin and construction it looks like a piece of jewelry to me. Possibly made to hold eye glasses when not being worn, you slip the ear piece through the hole in the center to carry them.    

Military? 

Flight Instructor's wing.  Usually worn on the lower right sleeve of the service coat.

Saw this on Marketplace. Looks like the 40s equivalent of photoshop.