WW2 Jump Master Para Wings - Sterling Pin Back, I-E

[MAP]

Just a note the ww2 version will not have the star on the top, during ww2 if multiple combat jumps were earned they added the stars to the badges over top of the wings.

Yes, I saw that in some "post purchase" reading I was doing when I was trying to identify who/what "I-E" was. If you ever see ones like this for sale...give me a shout!

[Watchdog]

Yes, I have have had quite insistent arguments with people who are convinced that the jumpmaster badge was used in WW2!
The combat jump stars are a bone of contention too because although used in WW2 they were not officially sanctioned until much later (early '80s just after Grenada I think?) so they are a bit of a minefield unless they come with good provenance.

Be careful though Michael, these badges especially the sterling versions can be addictive. I keep saying I don't collect US badges but I find I have around 2 dozen sterling "wings" (not just para) including one para wing fashioned into a signet ring that I "just couldn't resist". I even ended up with a very nice sterling Navy officers cap badge for the same reason, it spreads to all areas

But that is miltaria collecting I suppose

Regards

Mark

[gel65]

Jump wings with combat stars are tough to find and definitely a mine field I've had maybe 2 original pairs and they command a decent price. I think they were unofficially used during and after the war. I'm pretty sure they were authorized in the 50s, since they made the cloth badges with stars and palm leafs.

[MAP]

Yes, I have have had quite insistent arguments with people who are convinced that the jumpmaster badge was used in WW2!
The combat jump stars are a bone of contention too because although used in WW2 they were not officially sanctioned until much later (early '80s just after Grenada I think?) so they are a bit of a minefield unless they come with good provenance.

Be careful though Michael, these badges especially the sterling versions can be addictive. I keep saying I don't collect US badges but I find I have around 2 dozen sterling "wings" (not just para) including one para wing fashioned into a signet ring that I "just couldn't resist". I even ended up with a very nice sterling Navy officers cap badge for the same reason, it spreads to all areas

But that is miltaria collecting I suppose

Regards

Mark

I said I only wanted one German helmet. I now have 35. I only wanted one PAB, now I have over 15, I only wanted one EK and now I have....

So, I only want one set of Para wings. And I'll stand by that!!! (Until the next show)

[Watchdog]

I'm pretty sure they were authorized in the 50s, since they made the cloth badges with stars and palm leafs.

Well, it isn't a point I would argue as the stars and the "Overlord" arrowhead were certainly made during the war albeit unofficially because they were used by serving troops at the time but I would love to see an official reference to an authorisation during the '50s if you have one. I have not been able to find a quote from an official reference, only open source commercial publications that cite a date of I think 1983.
One thing I am certain of however is that without provenance it really is a case of "caveat emptor"!

I know we have members here who specialise in US insignia so one of you guys must have the official answer? I would really like to know for sure. I bought one with two stars and an arrowhead before I knew better and when I questioned it later (actually the wing not the combat devices) the dealer took it back in a flash!

Regards

Mark