These wings look a little nicer quality than the jump wings that I have seen that I knew were from the 11th AB. Those were one piece cast, rather than made from two pieces.a2jacketpatches said:It's been mentioned elsewhere as possible Japanese made for 11th AB during occupation.
Yes, there are plenty of examples of one off modifications to jump wings, but in this case, these are an example of something that was made and sold.watchmanjimg said:Couldn't they simply have been modified to the order of a paratrooper with a deep Christian faith? There are numerous instances of military insignia being altered to suit individual preferences.
unclegrumpy said:Yes, there are plenty of examples of one off modifications to jump wings, but in this case, these are an example of something that was made and sold.watchmanjimg said:Couldn't they simply have been modified to the order of a paratrooper with a deep Christian faith? There are numerous instances of military insignia being altered to suit individual preferences.
Also, I think the bracelet you pictured was also made/adapted and sold, rather than a one off. There are lots of different variations to these as well....far more than the jump wings.
Many of these bracelets were modified/customized by jewelers using standard jump wings and off the shelf bracelets. The style you are referring to, where the chain is attached to the wings, is more commonly seen using AAF wings, but I have seen a number using jump wings too, but those don't really have enough heft to them.watchmanjimg said:I couldn't find a pic online, but I believe Serling's Jumpmaster bracelet was in a different configuration with the chain fused directly to the outer edges of the wings. This too could have been a mass-produced item but it had more of a custom appearance.
A charm??? I was assuming these were full sized jump wings.a2jacketpatches said:Most of the time you'll find the remains from where the clutch posts or pin back was but my example shows no trace of that as if started as a charm.
unclegrumpy said:A charm??? I was assuming these were full sized jump wings.a2jacketpatches said:Most of the time you'll find the remains from where the clutch posts or pin back was but my example shows no trace of that as if started as a charm.
I am guessing it is full sized, and the lack of a trace of attachments is to be expected, because these were made to go on a chain in the first place. This is one of the indications that these were made rather than modified.
100% not issued. Possibly a US made jewelers version, but most likely made and sold to the troops outside the gates in either Japan or Europe. As you mentioned, these are most often attributed to the 11AB and the Japanese Occupation. I am not arguing that, but also know there are versions that came out of the ETO as well. It is a good piece, and hard to find these days.a2jacketpatches said:And most likely not an issued piece but a privately owned Jeweler version. Wouldn't you agree?