February 10Feb 10 #1 I've noticed this a couple times so far and I think on non maker marked Robbins wings. At first I thought it was sticker glue, but Chris suggested it could be solder from a metal tag? Anyone seen this before. I've seen it twice that I can come up with. Could it be from some retailer marking that a store would put on a non maker marked wing to sell as their own? Curious if anyone has seen one with the original sticker or tag on the back? Any thought appreciated. (images from internet) I have not had either in hand, so can't say for myself. Gerard
February 10Feb 10 #2 Have not seen one with a tag. Just the 'bump'. Could also be a function of the original forcer and the way it strikes the metal.
February 10Feb 10 #3 Or another possible idea, a bit of solder to hold the wing in place while finishing was taking place.
February 11Feb 11 #4 In a previous thread, Russ posted a composite picture of 4 Robbins-marked and unmarked wings. None of them has that "smudgy" thing on the back. My opinion is that the addition of a small "plaque" with a maker's name is, more often than not, an artifact of the faker trying to fool collectors. Not that it means anything, but I have never really seen a WWI wing with one of those plaques that I thought was legit, in any case (e.g., the Le Breve Paris fakes). I have NEVER seen a Robbins plaque on any wing, much less a WWI pilot wing. Other than blaming Gremlins, I have no idea what or why those smudges are.
February 11Feb 11 #5 Here's a similar wing to Gerard's with the mysterious smudgy thing on the back. I always assumed this was done to cover up the sterling mark. Maybe they were made in silver? Bob
June 15Jun 15 Author #7 Another one. Why would they try and get rid of the "Sterling" marking? This one has the "G" still showing.
June 15Jun 15 #8 Theory: Robbins accidentally used coin silver for a small batch? My initial thinking upon seeing these was the purpose was to obliterate a Robbins hallmark (Robbins wholesaling their product to other retailers), but agree that this appears to have been an obliteration of the sterling mark. Clearly a genuine badge. Quite mysterious! Warm regards. Chris
June 17Jun 17 #9 Here is another Robbins WW1 era wing on eBay, this one has the complete “Sterling” stamp in the blob location. https://ebay.io/m/78E4oe
June 18Jun 18 #10 3 hours ago, Bull Moose said: Here is another Robbins WW1 era wing on eBay, this one has the complete “Sterling” stamp in the blob location. https://ebay.io/m/78E4oe Nice to find one with both original spinners. Warm regards. Chris
June 18Jun 18 Author #11 Remi, thanks, will let you know when they land. Do you collect WWI & WWII wings or just WWI? Wondering how many WWI you have and how long you've been collecting. Cheers! Gerard
July 16Jul 16 Author #12 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.
July 16Jul 16 #13 I think the answer would require a device that measures metal content. I suspect that it is not sterling, therefore the obliteration of the mark. Could be coin, another type of alloy, etc.
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