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Pre 1941 Left Facing USN Officer's Hat Devices

Featured Replies

#1

post-4927-1262087401.jpgpost-4927-1262087323.jpg

 

Can any one tell me, are there pre may 1941 Officers visor cap insignias made from metal [sterling/gilt]. I can only find photo,s of bullion examples.

 

Graham

  • Author
#2

I have been told by fellow forum member that the small size badge for the officers overseas cap can be found with the eagles head facing the wearers left in pre 1941 fashion. Can anyone post any pics ?

Graham.

#3

Graham-

Here's two metal and one bullion in small size pre '41. I don't believe a pre '41 visor cap badge in all metal exists.

Kurt

post-322-1262134071.jpg

#4

...

#5

Here are the reverses.

post-322-1262134818.jpg

#6

I used to have some that looked exactly like Kurt's that were made by Pasquale.

 

The other Kurt

#7
I used to have some that looked exactly like Kurt's that were made by Pasquale.

 

The other Kurt

Other Kurt-

Mine aren't hallmarked. Were yours?

Kurt

#8
Other Kurt-

Mine aren't hallmarked. Were yours?

Kurt

 

 

Mine were hallmarked. They were open catch pinback.

 

Kurt

  • Author
#9

Thanks Kurt Well I,ll be #@~#erd I thought the small ones for the overseas cap came out late in ww2. I notice one of yours has loops for sewing ? I take it these are for wear on the overseas cap ?

I could have sworn I had seen 2 large pre 41 badges [metal] on ebay maybe a year or two ago, so they may be reproducing something that never existed in the first place. :think: I had wonderd why they were so hard to come by :lol:

 

Graham.

#10
Thanks Kurt Well I,ll be #@~#erd I thought the small ones for the overseas cap came out late in ww2. I notice one of yours has loops for sewing ? I take it these are for wear on the overseas cap ?

I could have sworn I had seen 2 large pre 41 badges [metal] on ebay maybe a year or two ago, so they may be reproducing something that never existed in the first place. :think: I had wonderd why they were so hard to come by :lol:

 

Graham.

From my research, the reason the eagles head was turned to the right in the first place was because the Navy decided to make the officers hat badge in full size in metal as the bullion ones were hard to maintain (tarnish). during the process of casting dies to strik them, it was determined that a left facing eagle was not a good thing and the head was turned.

 

Steve Hesson

  • Author
#11

The books I have state the head was turned to face the wearers sword hand which is heraldicly correct. The buttons changed at this time as well.

 

Graham.

  • 4 weeks later...
#13
Here's one of the large visor hat sized pre-1941 devices in metal that's currently on eBay. The back's hallmarked H&H and Viking.

 

 

Unfortunately, this one is fake. About 15 years ago, quite a number of metal left-facing full sized cap eagles were produced. I remember Manions had quite a few and were selling them for (as I recall) $20 a pop. I had always wanted one and commenting on this to a major dealer, he told me about them being copies. Not intentionally out-to-screw-folks copies, but were still copies nonetheless.

 

I have never seen a left facing metal full sized eagle that was original. I have seen a handful of left-facing small sized metal eagles, but never full sized. I would love to add one to my collection if I could ever find one.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Dave

#14

Well, at least it's posted for a reference then. I don't collect these, but I found it while browsing eBay today and remembered this thread.

#15
Well, at least it's posted for a reference then. I don't collect these, but I found it while browsing eBay today and remembered this thread.

 

No worries! I'm GLAD you posted it! Hopefully it will prevent someone from losing their shirt!

 

Realistically, if I could find one for around $50, even knowing it's a fake, I'd still like one for my hat (the one I actually wear in uniform). I seriously considered bidding on this one, actually!

 

Dave

  • Author
#16

Estate fresh too !!!! :think:

#17
Estate fresh too !!!! :think:

 

 

Riiight...from the dealer's house...er...estate!

 

It's like a dealer I once knew who claimed every uniform/medal/etc. he sold was "straight from the vet". Come to find out that HE had been in the service (I think in the National Guard) during the 80s and thus...drum roll...HE was the vet! He wasn't lying, but he sure wasn't telling the truth...

 

Dave

  • Author
#18

10 bids $130, :thumbdown:

  • 3 years later...
#19

I have a lovely full size pre WW II cap device in metal. If anyone wants detailed photos, please let me know.

#20

I have a lovely full size pre WW II cap device in metal. If anyone wants detailed photos, please let me know.

 

 

Yes, please!!

#21

I have a lovely full size pre WW II cap device in metal. If anyone wants detailed photos, please let me know.

Absolutely!

I'd enjoy seeing it too!!

  • Author
#22

I have a lovely full size pre WW II cap device in metal. If anyone wants detailed photos, please let me know.

 

yes, post it here please.

  • Author
#23

I have a lovely full size pre WW II cap device in metal. If anyone wants detailed photos, please let me know.

 

PM sent.

Hope to see it soon.

 

Graham

#24

Here is a full sizes metal cap device from Pre 1941 uniform change.

CAPT MAcpost-121778-0-89468000-1371311652.jpg

#25

Here is a full sizes metal cap device from Pre 1941 uniform change.

CAPT MAcattachicon.gifMetal Cap Device_edit.jpg

 

 

Very nice!!! Can you post up a photo of the reverse?

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