Polish Hat Eagles

[Gary Cain]

Those are some amazing badges! I love the design of the Polish insignia!

[A.J. Zawadzki]

12 Lancers
Nice, genuine old example from Stanley's first issue
Can anybody post the second issue / version - bright silver collor?

Any one idea as to how many of them could have been made?
As per monography of 12 lancers - 1553 badges had been issued
Any pictures of fakes?
A

Here’s mine in the brighter silvered finish. Somewhere I once came across some production figures on these, although can’t quite put my finger on it now. Interestingly, the excellent Zawistowski reference mentions that there are no extant records of the Polish badge order in the Stanley & Sons archives.

Posted below is a picture (taken from the Zawistowski book) of the stamp used to manually impress the “12U”. This stamp was heated and simply pressed into the amazon shield. You can just make out the outer edges of the stamp.

As far as fakes, I’ve yet to see any of the plastic badges being faked. But it’s probably just a matter of time.

Regards,
Tony

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Any pictures of fakes?

Well lo and behold – fresh up for sale. I never quite expected that the first fake I’d see of one of these eagles would be in brass:

ORZE?EK 1 Z KORON? (682994485) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro

[Marcin]

Wadowicznic,
Your eagle is made in France in 1918 or 1939. Thay used same mold again when polish troop arrived to France. This eagle was rarely seen in use by the soldiers in october and november 1939 in Coëtquidan camp.

About 12th Lancers eagle.
In total were 136 500 pieces made (first contract 29.I.1944 - last 18.VI.1945). Doesn´t exist first of second pattern. Thay all same but during years thay became darker or smaller because of temperature, moisture etc.
Eagles with "U 12" on it were made in unit by using special tool. No one can say exact number which was made. I belive that was few thousand of them.

I hope my information will be bit helpful.

[wadowicznic]

Marcin
Thank You for the response re-eagles. I am impressed by the level of knowledge and appreciate your help. I have been recently trying to get a good book on Polish Eagles with precise photos and statistics – any recommendations?

I expected that the Eagle may have been made in France (shape similar to the patch on Podhalanian Brigade and Hallers Army). I did not realise that the same mould was again when Polish troops arrived to France in 1939 as the on in 1918. You have suggested that the eagle was rarely seen in use by the soldiers in October and November 1939 in Coëtquidan camp.

Do You have any book references I could see more about this eagle / statistics etc? I am really curious as I have been collecting Polish stuff for years and have never come across this particular pattern before – and now start worrying about the gaps in my knowledge.

How much do You think it may be worth?

Wadowicznic,
Your eagle is made in France in 1918 or 1939. Thay used same mold again when polish troop arrived to France. This eagle was rarely seen in use by the soldiers in october and november 1939 in Coëtquidan camp.

About 12th Lancers eagle.
In total were 136 500 pieces made (first contract 29.I.1944 - last 18.VI.1945). Doesn´t exist first of second pattern. Thay all same but during years thay became darker or smaller because of temperature, moisture etc.
Eagles with "U 12" on it were made in unit by using special tool. No one can say exact number which was made. I belive that was few thousand of them.

I hope my information will be bit helpful.

[wadowicznic]

Fellows
I did purchase this Eagle together with and few Polish Free Forces memorabilia a few years ago.
I have not managed to identify this particular Eagle since then – it is a big unknown for me!
I would be grateful for any suggestions.

Size c6.5x4cm

A

[Marcin]

Thanks for nice words. My all knowladge came from one book by T.Zawistowski and conversations with author. This is "the bible" about eagles. I love this book.
About price, well I would say as much as somebody will pay. I wouldn´t sell eagle like this. It is nice and hard to find.

I just came back from War and Peace show in Beltring, UK and I found few interesting eagles. Now I have more than 50

[wadowicznic]

Thanks Marcin
Greatelly appreciated. Please post pictures of some of your Eagles. Any idea as to what my "red one" may be?
Regards
Artur

Thanks for nice words. My all knowladge came from one book by T.Zawistowski and conversations with author. This is "the bible" about eagles. I love this book.
About price, well I would say as much as somebody will pay. I wouldn´t sell eagle like this. It is nice and hard to find.

I just came back from War and Peace show in Beltring, UK and I found few interesting eagles. Now I have more than 50

[Marcin]

Here some pic´s of my eagles. I have few but still need some regular ones, like Polish Navy, different PAF etc. I hope you will like it. I put some separet one which I think are really nice and I like them:
french 1939 made
swiss made for DSP
italian made - mint with paper bag
PAF gaunt made without fabric back
PAF made probably in Palestine
12th Uhlans
made in Germany
made in Palestine with silver finish on it
made in Canada

About red one - no idea. To me looks like between war´s or ww I production

[wadowicznic]

Marcin
Really incredible collection.
I am truly impressed – congratulations.
Nowadays it is very difficult to find some quality examples

My favourite is the DSP one – design is very nice and it is difficult to find.

Thanks for posting