I have the opportunity to purchase a Luxenberg (made in England) cap device for the WW2 US Army officer visor cap.

 

I have two questions:

 

1. Did this particular device have a single screw prong centered on the back, without the prongs on each wing?

 

2. Is $145.00 too much to spend for such a cap device, even though in as-new condition?

 

Thanks very much for your input.

Hi Deacon,

 

Can you post any pictures?. I haven't seen reproduction/fake Luxenberg cap devices but that isn't to say they don't exist,a lot of English made insignia has been faked over the years.

 

Personally I'd never pay that amount for a cap device unless it was still attached to the cap! but I'm not an insignia collector so others might see it differently.

 

Matt.

Take a look at the example listed here.

 

http://www.icollector.com/U-S-ARMY-OFFICER...-GILT_i10089329

Thanks for your replies, guys.

 

I don't have pictures, but there is a single image of the front of the device on a dealer website, and the device pictured is identical to the one on the link provided by Saberjet.

 

I made an inquiry with the dealer as to the two wing prongs, but he has yet to reply back. That's why I posted my questions here.

 

As to the rather steep price being asked for this device, Matt, I agree that it's far up on the high end. However, the cap I have that I would be placing it on is in equally good condition. So finding a device in "as new" condititon seems like the only suitable way to go.

 

Anyway, thanks again,

 

 

Deacon

Just be aware...Luxenberg didn't stop making uniforms on V-J Day...I've seen plenty of Luxenberg "Made in England" hat devices on postwar hats. In fact, I always assumed they were of postwar manufacture, though I could be wrong.

 

Dave

Here's one on eBay right now for $49....

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Luxenberg-Hat...e-/220996591272

Hi Dave,

 

I saw that one on eBay, but it has the prong on the wings. I was looking for a device with out the prongs, so that I wouldn't have to poke holes in the hat I have.

 

As to the fact that these devices could be made post war, I hadn't thought about that possibility - thanks for pointing it out (though I should say the example I'm interested in has the straighter, V-type wings, which I thought indicates war-time manufacture).

 

 

 

Deacon

I finally found the link to the Luxenberg device - the website isn't the easiest to navigate.

 

Here it is (the device is about a third of the way down:

 

http://ljmilitaria.com/mainusafsquadrons/

 

 

Deacon

I finally found the link to the Luxenberg device - the website isn't the easiest to navigate.

 

Here it is (the device is about a third of the way down:

 

http://ljmilitaria.com/mainusafsquadrons/

Deacon

Hi Deacon,

 

Generally the prongs don't usually make holes(or at least not on the majority of Officers caps I have) they are intended to just hold the device in place. I will take some pics of some I have later. The larger V style device was popular,especially with AAF officers but it did continue in use post WWII.

 

Matt.

I agree with Matt. The prongs won't really damage the cap as such...just a tiny puncture hole in the weave. They just serve to keep the device centred and prevent it from revolving. I've got many US Army and USAAF visor hats of both WW2 and post WW2 vintage and I'm pretty sure that all the eagle devices have prongs.

I finally found the link to the Luxenberg device - the website isn't the easiest to navigate.

 

Here it is (the device is about a third of the way down:

 

http://ljmilitaria.com/mainusafsquadrons/

Deacon

 

 

I dunno man...I'm thinking the device on the website (with the packing material backing) is the same style as the one on eBay (with the blue cloth backing). For $100 difference, I'd go for the eBay one...and if you're worried about the prongs on the wings, a pair of wire snips will do fine to get rid of them.

 

Personally, I believe both are postwar. My theory might be all full of water, but I don't see Luxenberg making these in England during WW2 and then having them shipped back to the US when they were making them just fine here. I also have had a very limited sample, but on the two WW2 Lux hats I've owned, neither device was marked "Made in England" whereas the close to 10 postwar Lux visor hats I've had have almost all had the "Made in England" devices. Once again, that's a small sample to make a generalization from, but that's been my experience.

 

Maybe someone can share a definite wartime Lux hat with a Made in England device? :thumbsup:

 

Dave

Considering your theory, Dave, I think I'll wait to find a device that can definitely be determined to have been made during WW2. Until I do come across such a device, I'll have to be satisfied with the one that's on my cap now.

 

Along these lines, the type I have now appears to be identical to the Gemsco devices I've seen posted. However, it doesn't have any stampings on the back, nor the prongs on the back of the wings. (I've tried taking pictures of it, but my camera just isn't able to pick up any of the details.)

 

Does this sound like a post war copy, or could it be the real article; that is, a WW2 manufactured Gemsco device?

 

Thanks again,

 

 

Deacon

I have 3 examples of the Luxenberg cap device and yes there are supposed to have 1 screw device as well as the 2 prongs on either wing. In my opinion $100+ is a very steep price to pay for this particular pin unless it comes with an original cap is included. I am on break at work right now but I cant post some pictures for you as well as give you a better price range for these when I check my notes at home.

I always thought WWII Luxemberg produced hats were made at 485 Madison Ave in NY

My cap... and one of my favorite eagles of WWII

 

Hi there,

I dig up this post because I've a similar badge, Made in England that I would like to identify and know the value. The badge is silver made and was found in Paris several years ago on a bric à brac dealer place. The clutch back are missing but the screw device is still in place. Any idea of its value?

there never were clutch backs on them...

Maybe the terminology isn't good. I would speak about the prongs on both of the top wings. They are missing.

ahh yes I see what you mean now.. the pins.

 

Personally I agree with what Dave said years ago that any "MADE IN ENGLAND" Luxenberg piece is postwar.

 

I have a WW2 Khaki Luxenberg crusher and the device is marked "NEW YORK".

-Brian

OK, thanks Brian. It is probably a something left by US troops based in France in the 40's / 50's. Its value was probably less than 40$ I guess.

No you still did well I think. $40 for a Luxenberg cap badge is not terrible IMO. Could be said probably from occupation period IMO.

 

also my word is not gospel by any means.. though Dave's might be. There is a possibility these were wartime but IMO a small possibility.

-Brian

1950s USAF officer's cap badge, $40 is about right. There shouldn't be clutch backs on the pins, they just poke into the fabric to keep the eagle straight. Only USAF cap eagles are silver and all are post-WW2 as the USAF didn't exist until 1947.

See my thread at: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/205678-photos-of-officer-cap-badgeseagles-for-comparison/?hl=%2Busaf+%2Bcap+%2Beagles

Thanks to all!

Oh is it silver in color? From the pics it looked like gold to me.

 

If silver Matt is totally spot on.

-Brian

Yes indeed, it is silver.