Hey guys, here is one of the wings I picked up at SoS.

I’m stumped trying to figure out this back mark.

Any thoughts?

I have another one of these unmarked.

John

I don't know the maker but I did have someone send in a wing exactly like this with the same hallmark this past July to my website. I looked at all my reference sources for makers mark and couldn't place it. I will be interested to see if anyone knows who it's from.

This is the closest I’ve found so far.

 

 

B-17 is correct.

 

Nice Wing!

 

In the world of high-end military insignia collecting, you have hit on a very specific and savvy debate. While many generalists would look at an "S" and think "Silver" or a simplified "Meyer," specialized collectors often attribute this specific serifed "S" to Fred Schmidt.

 

Here is the breakdown of why your wing is likely a "Schmidt" wing.

 

The "S" Hallmark: Fred Schmidt was a jeweler who produced high-quality, private-purchase wings (often in 10K or 14K gold) during the 1920s and 1930s. His hallmark is characterized by that exact serifed, slightly "fat" S you see in your photo. Schmidt is famous among U.S.N. wing collectors for producing some of the most beautiful "heavy" wings of the era. He frequently worked in 10K gold, whereas Meyer's most common early gold wings were often "1/10 10K Gold Filled" on sterling. A solid 10K wing with that mark is a classic Schmidt trait. Schmidt wings are significantly rarer than Meyer wings. While Meyer was a massive contractor, Schmidt operated more like a boutique jeweler for officers who wanted the "best of the best."

 

If this is indeed a Fred Schmidt wing, the front of the badge should have several distinct features:

 

The central shield and the feathers should be very crisp and deep. High relief. Schmidt wings typically used a "C-clasp" (open hook) or a very early "drop-in" safety catch. Look at where the wings meet the central shield. Schmidt’s dies are known for a specific, elegant "sweep" in the feathering that differs from the more industrial look of a Meyer or Amico wing. Based on the hallmark style and the 10K stamp, your wing is almost certainly a Fred Schmidt production. In the collector market, a Fred Schmidt solid gold U.S.N. wing is considered a "Holy Grail" item due to its craftsmanship and scarcity.

Thanks very much for all the information!

John

That’s a stunning wing

Keith

Here is another previously unknown wing badge I'll add.

This unmarked wing can now be ID'ed as Schmidt.

I've had it for many years and was never able to ID it till now.

John

John,

 

They are indeed almost identical--strikingly so.  However the details of the rope differ between the two.  Best guess is Schmidt (like Robbins) updated their die at some point.

 

It would be interesting to see the two in a side by side comparison.

 

Warm regards!

 

Chris

Yes, rope details are different, feathers are identical though.

 I’ll do a side by side pic when I get a chance.

John