I've been finding myself buying old portraits of U.S. military personnel - mostly First and Second World War. No particular reason, other than it seems fitting to pay tribute to these men even though strangers to me.

 

I got this for $5 at an antique mall that afternoon. Looks like an early USAF portrait, thinking possibly late 1940's or into the 1950's.

 

Anyone with experience with USAF might be able to better determine the approximate date.

 

Awesome pic! I'm in the same boat when it comes to these. I tend to pick them up when I find them and I don't think I have paid over 10.00 for one. Definitely a good militaria bang for the buck. Looks like he is wearing the transitional USAAF to USAF collar insignia.

Nic,

I disagree about the collar insignia. To me it looks like the oxidized US in a circle that was used for many years and not the transitional brass.. It seems to match the luster of his cap badge. His service cap is the shade 1084 blue and those were not worn with transitional cap devices. I'd place this time period in the early 1950's.

It is a great photo and I try to pick them up when the price is right. Unfortunately, antique shop owners want to charge way too much because they place a big value on the frame if the picture is framed. Several times I have offered to buy just the photo and let them keep the frame, but it's always "no dice"!

Attached is a photo of an Airman wearing the same type uniform, only in color. It clearly shows the "new" USAF Hat and Collar Insignia being worn. I also like these early Air Force portrait photos.

I can't really explain the recent draw to these portraits. Although these men (and in some cases, couples) are complete strangers to me, I like to think that somehow I'm honoring their service and their memory.

 

Perhaps someday - many years from now - a militaria collector might come across a photo of me from my time in the Army and hang onto it!