Extremely Rare Circa 1920 US Air Service Observer Wing Unique, Massive Design
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Extremely Rare Circa 1920 US Air Service Observer Wing Unique, Massive Design

Code: afw00007a


SOLD!!! No Longer Available!

Product Description

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS from The FLYING TIGER Antiques & Vintage Historical Artifacts!!!

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 29TH 2023: Thank YOU ALL for the Holiday Orders!!!

We Hope that all the LUCKY Recipients of these GREAT GIFTS will Just LOVE Them!!

So, NOW is the TIME to ORDER that wonderful ARTIFACT that you've had your eye on, Or that you are buying for that SPECIAL SOMEONE, as it will SHIP within 24 to 48 Hours of Receipt of Payment, but USUALLY Same Day!!

Just an FYI: Kanae is in JAPAN through December 7th, so I am doing the best I can with shipping!!

And I hope to start LISTING in a day or 2, probably mostly PATCHES until Kanae returns!!

Happy Holidays & Happy Collecting, Ron & Kanae

ARTIFACT: This wing has a unique, massive construction. It conforms loosely to the November 19th, 1920 US Army Air Service Regulations as that of an Observer, Qualified as a Pilot. But, it is also a bit of an anomaly. It definitely has design characteristics that go back to WWI, especially the beveled-corner "O" at center, and in Duncan Campbell's Revised Edition of Aviation Badges and Insignia of the United States Army 1913-1946, Duncan mentions a photo from 1918 where it is hard to discern, but the wing being worn appears to be this wing.

The collector whom I acquired this wing from, regarding wings perhaps the most knowledgeable in the country, has researched this wing and he feels that this extraordinary United States Army Air Service (USAAS) duel-wing Balloon Observer badge is close to being one of a kind. His research shows that only a small number of officers who received training as Balloon Observers at Langley Field, Virginia and Scott Field, Illinois in 1921 were able to get them before it was realized that the letters "US" in the center shield did not conform to Army regulations according to the rules of heraldry as defined by the Commission of Fine Arts on 14 November 1918, amended by the War Department on 11 October 1920 and 30 July 1921.

This wing is biographical, and the name of the original owner will be given to potential buyers.

VINTAGE: Circa 1920.

SIZE: Approximately 11/16" in height by 3-1/16" in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Sterling silver.

ATTACHMENT: Horizontal pin with drop-in locking swivel catch.

MARKINGS: STERLING.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Army Air Forces collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VBFFJX12 LDBEJX6/12

CONDITION: 8+ (Excellent): The wing has only some very light wear.

GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.