Ext. Rare Early WWII Small Size AVG Flying Tiger Pin Originally Owned by Crew Chief Robert A. Smith

ARTIFACT: This is a beautiful, early WWII American Volunteer Group (A.V.G.) Flying Tigers small size Tiger Pin in gold-fill on silver by Whitehead & Hoag which was once owned by Crew Chief Robert A. Smith, who was a member of the 3rd squadron (Hell's Angels). The pin shows a winged tiger in flight in the crook of a blue "V". The Tiger Pin is an extremely rare and highly desirable piece for any WWII aviation collection and this is an exquisite example in excellent condition with beautiful patina.

The original Flying Tigers numbered just over 300 personnel, and were in China for a brief period, seeing combat for only 7 months in late 1941 and the first half of 1942 before the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Squadrons were absorbed by the US Army Air Forces' China Air Task Force to create the 74th, 75th, and 76th Fighter Squadrons of the 23rd Fighter Group along with the 16th Fighter Squadron.

VINTAGE: Circa Early WWII

SIZE: Approximately 3/4" x 1"

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: 10K gold-fill on silver, enamel

ATTACHMENT: Diagonal pin with locking drop-in swivel catch

MARKINGS: "1/20 10K GOLD FILLED."

ITEM NOTES: This is from a Flying Tiger collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-REB-20-17 LDDGEX3/17

CONDITION: 5+ (Fine-): There is some chipping to the enamel as well as some surface scratches.