Insignia / Badges
(click on pictures to enlarge)
WWII Air Training Corps lapel badge
Beautifully made gilt and blue enamel lapel badge measuring just 1" x 0.75" across with a buttonhole fitting on the back. The ATC was formed as a branch of the RAF in 1939 to prepare Air Cadets for a future career in the RAF, and many WWII pilots, aircrew and ground crew began as 13-17 year olds in this organization. The Air Training Corps remains strong today and is still the only youth organization that is a direct branch of its parent military service. A lovely badge from the earliest days of the organization showing wear but no damage.
$30 / £24 / €28 email to secure this item
WWII RAFVR lapel badge
Beautifully made gilt and enamel lapel badge measuring just 0.75" x 0.5" across with a buttonhole fitting on the back. The RAF Volunteer Reserve was a valuable resource of pilots and aircrew in WWII, most of whom learned to fly at their own expense prior to the war and were the first to be called up when hostilities broke out. This small badge may have been worn on civilian clothes or given as a gift to loved ones to show their support. A lovely badge from the earliest days of the organization showing wear but no damage.
$35 / £28 / €32 email to secure this item
Luftwaffe correct fitted case for the pilot's badge, "Flugzeugführer Abzeichen".
A hard to find accessory invariably missing from most Luftwaffe pilot badges - the fitted case in which it was given. This case is in very good condition, with some minor wear and a small area of surface scraping on the bottom. Case is overed with dark blue linen textured paper and gold leaf "Luftwaffen=Flugzeugführer=Abzeichen"
Inside is lined with blue satin with an opening for the pin fastening and a clear impression of where the badge was pressing against the inside lid.
$155 / £120 / €140 email to secure this item
WWII era enamelled Air Cadet lapel pin.
7/8" diameter Air Training Corps lapel pin, gilt with sky blue enamel inlay. I presume this was issued to a civilian instructor, since Air Cadets usually wore a silver metal lapel pin when not in uniform. Lovely badge with great detail and "horseshoe shaped button back for fitting into a button hole. Only ever seen a handful of these so quite scarce. The Air Training Corps was founded in 1940 with the specific intent of recruiting youth into the RAF by providing basic training in aeronautics, drill, etc. to boys aged 14 and up. The ATC remains the only cadet force/youth organization in the UK that is officially part of a military branch and is wholly sponsored and maintained by the RAF .
$25 / £20 / €23 email to secure this item
WWII US Army/Air Corps pendant based on the "Miraculous medal of Our Lady" religious message in sterling silver.
Sterling silver pendant with red, white and blue enamel circular "stars and stripes" shield at the top, with angel's wings to protect the wearer and virgin Mary figure under the word "Army" with a prayer encircling her. The reverse depicts the "Miraculous Medal of Our Lady" featuring a monogram M, stylized as a priest's stole, below the Cross, surrounded by stars and ornaments. Exceptionally nice piece no doubt given lovingly to a Catholic son or husband to protect him from harm.
$40 / £30 / €35 email to secure this item
WWII Royal Navy Petty Officer's cap badge.
Lovely example of a Royal Navy Petty Officer's cap badge as worn on the everyday service dress uniform; red silk embroidered on a wool background with a stiffener and an oilcloth backing. Excellent condition. Badge was the same for all branches of the Royal Navy, so would be worn by Fleet Air Arm, submarine crews and everyone in between.
$20 / £15 / €18 email to secure this item
WWII CBI tie clip in sterling silver.
Not sure if this is a souvenir piece or a later reunion item, but it's old based on the stye and the fact it's made of solid silver with an enameled CBI shield. Lovely item, heavy with a solid spring. 1.75" long.
$25 / £20 / €22 email to secure this item
AAF Winged Prop insignia
Standard wartime winged prop collar and / or cap insignia x 3. Each similar but slightly different, with clutch back fastenings. 2 have clutches, the third lacks its prongs. Price is for all 3.
$20 / £15 / €18
Pair early pinback AAF winged props in sterling.
Though not a matched pair, these are very close and came as a set. Both are marked "sterling" though one has a plain back and the other a snowflake back. Great set.
$25 / £20 / €23 email to secure this item
AAF embroidered pilot wing, white silk on chocolate felt.
Quite unusual to see AAF wings embroidered onto chocolate coloured felt, and this is a wonderful example. Lovely detail, full size wing.
$45 / £35 / €40 email to secure this item
Felt embroidered AAF shoulder patch.
In excellent condition, no mothing, wear or damage.
$20 / £15 /€18 email to secure this item
WWII RCAF other ranks cap badge.
Lovely original RCAF cap badge has been lovingly polished to make it gleam and remove all the details from the surface, as was the style airmen strove for.
$20 / £15 / €18 email to secure this item
Sample set of 3 RCAF uniform buttons.
Lovely set of unused RCAF uniform buttons, one in each of the sizes made (large for tunic, medium for pocket and small for cap). Attached to a piece of cardboard and bound at the back with wire. Perhaps a salesman's sample or collected during the war, but crisp as the day they were made (if somewhat dull and tarnished - I have left them as is, it's up to the new owner to polish if desired). Can't tell the maker without removing from card which i do not want to do.
$20 / £15 / €17 email to secure this item
Miniature observer brevet for the mess dress jacket, possibly WWI RFC or very early RAF.
Beautiful and quite rare miniature Observer badge in gold and silver bullion wire embroidery on fine wool background, showing lots of patina and tarnish. Measures 2" (50mm) diagonally across from the bottom left of the O to the tip of the wing, on an oilcloth backing. Possibly as early as WWI but am include to think 1920s. Would very likely clean up if desired but perfect as is.
$75 / £58 / €68 email to secure this item
WWII (pre-1952) RAF other ranks brass cap / beret badge.
Nice example of the WWII period (kings crown) brass other ranks cap badge. Slight discoloration from oxidation in one spot would probably clean up if desired. Nice crisp strike. Lug back and with cotter pin.
$20 / £15 / €18 email to secure this item
WWII US Navy pilot wing in gold-filled sterling by Amico.
Lovely example of the WWII style pilot wing for US Naval aviators, marked AMICO Sterling + 1/20th 10K gold. Shows good wear and patina. Heavy wing.
$85 / £65 / €78 email to secure this item
Stunning and rare WWI miniature French "FIX: wing badge; from which the RNAS and eventually the RAF designed its iconic eagle.
Absolutely lovely miniature "FIX" eagle badge dating from early WWI and made in France. 1.25" (32mm) and appears to be gold but I cannot find any hallmarks other than the name "FIX". History tells us that a high ranking Royal Navy officer purchased one of thee badges for his wife and liked it so much that he insisted it be adopted as the flying badge for the RNAS - and later of course it became the cuff and shoulder badge for the RAF. This is the first miniature I have seen and it is exquisite in its detail and construction.
£95 / $125 / €110 email to secure this item
Lovely WWII AAF pilot wing.
Standard issue type pilot wing, with no markings to rear, clutch back style. It looks like sterling with tarnish and patina but not marked as such. Nice, honest full-size 3" wing.
£43 / $45 / €48
Unused WWII AAF sterling ID bracelet.
Lovely sterling silver ID bracelet as worn by many AAF pilots and aircrew, but this example was never engraved or used. Strong clasp.
$45 / £35 / €40
Set of 2 Distinctive Insignia for the Army Air Corps Advanced Flying Training School.
Lovely matching pair of enameled DIs, pin back and maker marked NS Meyer bearing the famous UT VIRI VOLENT scroll under the flaming torch. Excellent condition.
$25 / £20 / €23
WWII RAF brass Flight Sergeant's crowns.
Full size brass King's Crown badges, worn above the 3 chevrons on each arm to denote the rank of Flight Sergeant. Quite a hard to find item these days. Small quantity available. Some make reasonable matching pairs and I will try to match them as best I can if you want a pair, but offered singly.
EACH $20 / £15 / €18 email for more information
Original wartime US Army Air Forces jacket sleeve decal/transfer for the
A-2, B-3 jacket etc.
Scarce original water transfer (decal) for the upper sleeve of the A-2 / B-3 flight jacket etc. It would be slid into position then sealed with a clear polyacrylate coating. Most of these have worn off, or cracked and peeled over time. No guarantees this will work - it is 70+ years old! Great display item though and almost impossible to find.
£10 / $13 / €12 email to secure this item
RAF full dress uniform shoulder boards circa 1920.
For wear only by officers and only on the full dress uniform, this superb set of shoulder boards features gold wire embroidered eagles (left and right facing) with rank lace indicating a Flight Lieutenant. Includes gilt RAF buttons and white leather backing.
£55 / $75 / €60 email for more information
WWII AAF 3" Air Gunner wing in sterling silver.
Standard full-size graduation issue US Army Air Forces Air Gunner wing, not maker marked but stamped "sterling". Two-piece construction with applied winged bullet in heavily stylized art deco design. Pin back. A lovely example.
£50 / $70 / €57 email for more information
WWII AAF sweetheart brooch for the girlfriend of a captain.
Beautifully made silver sweetheart brooch in silver (though not marked) comprises a tiny winged prop badge joined together with a chain to a miniature set of captain's bars - both with separate pins. A unique style I have not seen before.
£18 / $25 / €20 email for more information
WWII AAF winged prop sweetheart pin in sterling silver.
Miniature winged prop pin with snowflake back and marked "sterling" - lovely sweetheart pin.
£18 / $25 / €20 email for more information
WWII large USN "Pilot Wing" desk or door ornament.
A very large and superbly well-made brass USN pilot wing measuring 9.5 inches across. Perfect display accessory for the collector of US Navy flying gear!
£28 / $35 / €30 email to secure this item
WWII USN officer's full-size visor cap badge.
Beautifully made full-size USN visor cap badge, s-piece construction with screw back. Maker marked Amcraft and 1/20 10K gold. Superb patina.
£28 / $35 / €30 email to secure this item
WWII USN officer's overseas cap badge
Beautifully made small size clutch back badge for the overseas cap. Marked W-22-N
£8 / $10 / €9 email to secure this item
WWII USN ratings sleeve badges (x3)
Please see pictures. All are WWII and came from a veteran's estate.
1. On blue wool still in cellophane wrapping dated 1945
£16 / $15 / €17 email to secure this item
2. On white cotton unused dated 1945
£8 / $15 / €9 email to secure this item
3. Air Electronics tech. On blue wool unused (larger)
£8 / $12 / €9 email to secure this item
Early RAF identity disk "dog" tag.
Pressed fibreboard disk incised with the name J.B. Richardson, his serial number 155087 and his religion C.E. (Church of England). The reverse is marked "RAF."
Not a scarce item but a nice perosnal display.
Priced at £12 / $15 / €14 email for more details
Various WWII RAF rank / trade insignia.
All WWII period except where noted.
Warrant Officer cuff badge (QC - early 1950s)
£7.85 / $10 / €8.95
Leading Aircraftsman (2-bladed prop) 3 different
each £3.95 / $5 / €4.90
Senior Aircraftsman (3-bladed prop) 2 different
each £3.95 / $5 / €4.90