Well, where do I start? The ebay auction found here >>>LINK<<<are definite fakes.

 

The Brigade assigned to Iceland in 1941 replaced British troops already there. The British "turned over" the wearing of the polar bear patch to the Marines. It was the ONLY Marine unit that was to wear a patch on both shoulders as was the British tradition.

 

Consider:

1. ALL known good examples are white EMBROIDERED bear on black felt. It should have a black type gauze on the back. The silk screen printed ones are outright fakes. They were opposing patches. That is, both faced front.

 

2. The troops were required to remove their patches upon departure from Iceland in March of 1942. The supposed "Original Store Tag" is dated 1945. Why would these be sold in San Diego in 1945? The unit NEVER wore this SSI in the US and was long disbanded with most of it's members in the Pacific by then.

 

3. The WOSK tag number is incorrect. WOSK coded their tags according to what it was attached to. The numbers/letters marked 7MR15 indicate this tag was on a 1st MAC Raider patch.

Consider:

1. ALL known good examples are white EMBROIDERED bear on black felt. It should have a black type gauze on the back. The silk screen printed ones are outright fakes. They were opposing patches. That is, both faced front.

 

Remember, some WWII 49th (West Riding) Division patches WERE made as printed examples during the war. You probably are correct that the ones the Marines wore were most likely embroidered, though. Just a clarification. Original printed 49th patches were pretty common in the UK when I was stationed there, thus their availability on-line.....

 

One thing to remember, the head on the 49th was turned downward originally when the insignia was made up during WWI. The head was turned up during WWII, probably in time for the unit's reactivation in 1943. Here is a picture of a pair of original 49th Division patches NOT associated with the Iceland detachment and are later war versions. If anybody says they are, then he is of lesser noble blood....

 

-Ski

Long ago I was in correspondence with a 1st Mar Bde Iceland vet and got from him three different Polar Bear formation signs: 1. ordinary British embroidered on melton wool in stringy white thread; 2. ordinary British Ordnance issue, printed (facing pair on larger white hunk of twill, ready to be trimmed); and 3. a facing pair stencilled on parachute silk.

 

He said that #1 was the preferred type, but in short supply and "you had to trade something to get them", #2 was commonplace, but quickly abandoned in favor of #1, #3 was made up by the Air air force guys and "you had to knowsomebody" to get them. He also stated that afte their "secret mission" he (and dozens if not 100+ of others) were sent home on leave via (IIRC)the Brooklyn (or Boston) Navy Yard, and that the "pogeybait" stores outside base already had US-made Polar Bear patches. As these were larger and crispy new he (and others) bought them and sewed them on in place of the Iceland-acquired types. He did not REMOVE the US-made bears until reporting back from leave (in his case, en route to Midway, in a Defense Bn).

Dear all,

 

Yes, there are lots of fake Polar bear patches out there since the price of them is going up. How ever please note that not all of the British

army left in 1941 when the USMC took over the garrison. Some of them stayed and I suspect still used there Polar bears. I have proof that these patches were also theater made.

 

Here is an example of an original set sold to anyone that wanted to buy them. It was printed 4 sets per sheet in "Sparta boys clothing shop"

at no 10 Laugavegur street (main street in the city center) I have one set, but my friend here has an uncut 4 set sheet which he got from

the former owners of this shop, but it closed down years ago. Also shown is an original war time advertisement from Sparta, offering there goods.

I think we have been down this road before. First there is no such thing as an Iceland Brigade patch. The patch commonly called the USMC Iceland Brigade is the official formation sign (patch) of the British 49th West Riding Division. As an honorarium tha CO of the 49th gave the marines the right to wear the insignia while they were stationed on Iceland. The proper design is the "heads down" bear as the 49th changed the design to a "heads up" pose after they left Iceland. These patches can be printed or embroidered. There are also examples were the bear was made of metal. Here are examples of both types.

Garth

A good period embroidered and a fake embroidered. Which is which?

Answer: the top one is a good period piece. Note the black muslin backing material typical of english patches from the period.

What do you look for in a printed example? You should see the design coming through on the reverse because in WW2 the british made printed insignia using what is called the typographic method. This involves a hydraulic press forcing the ink of the design onto the material causing it to leach through.

Repro artists today use a method much like silk screening were the design is laid on the material and dryed using UV light. Generally the design will not show through on the reverse. You might ask, why don't they use the old method? The presses and equiptment required are large, expensive and generally not available today.

Here are reverse views of proper WW2 examples:

Garth

Is it me, or is this getting a bit confusing

Is it me, or is this getting a bit confusing

What's confusing mate? Just trying to straighten out possible misconcepts reguarding this patch and point out how to ID a proper one.

Garth

No, I can respect that. I was following a thread last nite in the SSI section on this patch, just trying to take it all in, I'm on vacation brain is a little slow

Garth,

 

Thanks for you added info. I have many of these patches including a matching pair of the metal bears. In my opinion your printed bear with white outline was theater made in the Sparta clothing shop. I will try to photograph the uncut 8 patch sheet that my friend has and email you. Here is a link to another thread I posted some photos on:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...&hl=Iceland

 

Regards

 

Hinrk

Well, where do I start? The ebay auction found here >>>LINK<<<are definite fakes.

 

The Brigade assigned to Iceland in 1941 replaced British troops already there. The British "turned over" the wearing of the polar bear patch to the Marines. It was the ONLY Marine unit that was to wear a patch on both shoulders as was the British tradition.

 

Consider:

1. ALL known good examples are white EMBROIDERED bear on black felt. It should have a black type gauze on the back. The silk screen printed ones are outright fakes. They were opposing patches. That is, both faced front.

 

2. The troops were required to remove their patches upon departure from Iceland in March of 1942. The supposed "Original Store Tag" is dated 1945. Why would these be sold in San Diego in 1945? The unit NEVER wore this SSI in the US and was long disbanded with most of it's members in the Pacific by then.

 

3. The WOSK tag number is incorrect. WOSK coded their tags according to what it was attached to. The numbers/letters marked 7MR15 indicate this tag was on a 1st MAC Raider patch.

After we landed British Gen Curtis offered Marine Gen, Marston the the polar bear patch and let him chose from several dsigns. He chose the 49th design. Since Curtis did not have 2000 sets on hand he made a special order for the Marines. Patch is similar to 49th but has some changes in the ice floe.

I have copies of Marstons orders to us on how to wear the patches

2 I copy of Marstons letter to Commandant Holcome re the patches

3: I have copy of Holcom's letter to Marston Stating all patches must be removed when leaving Iceland

4; The only patches worn were the ones issued. Otherwise you were out of uniform

5: I have a letter from Curator USMC Archive Div. confirming all of the above

6; See USMC Historical Div booklet Marines In Defense Of Iceland. Excellent photo of one and only patch we wore

7; We stood inspection on board ship when returning to verify all patches removed

8; Commandant Holcome orders NO PATCHES CAN BE WORN IN USA !!!!!!!!!

Single bear patch with black lines once sold by Medals For America for $5. made in USA !!!!!!

 

 

jim Flowers

Interesting to note that a photograph exists of a Marine wearing the polar bear patch in the CONUS, presumably after returning from duties in Iceland. See below.

 

 

Also, I believe in the book "The Old Breed: A Combat Marine's Odyssey Through WWII 1941-1945" the author states that some Marines who had been in Iceland attached the polar bear patches to the winter service jackets while in New Zealand prior to Guadalcanal. It has been a long time since I have read the book, but I could double check to make sure the reference is correct.

I will add 2 variants to the discussion here. These are part of a group that came from the widow of a 2/6 vet who was in Iceland and WIA on Guadalcanal

rears