U.S. WW1 LeBreve, Paris Pilot Wings and WW1 Bomber Wings

[Luther]

Hello All,

I've noticed the WW1 LeBreve, Paris Pilot Wings all over the internet.

Is LeBreve's quality of fit and finish so crude??

Attached photos of two sets of wings on a "high-end" dealer's site. I know absolutely nothing about these wings. So I'm here to to learn.

The LeBreve wings don't appear anything like the ones I've seen elsewhere - which are readily recognizable as fakes.

The Bomber wings are less clear-cut. I've searched high and low, and some seem better finished while others appear about the same. There is a brass plate beneath the cloth covering.

Best Regards

[Steven M]

Hi Luther,

The fact that you notice these a lot is the first indication that something stinks. WWI wings are rare, but is seems that nearly 100 years later, there are enough floating around for every aviator to have 20 or 30 each at the time. The Lebreve wings are fantasy, and is loosly based on a WWI wing that was made by Humrichous in Memphis Tennessee. I am not even sure if Lebreve ever existed as a company. This example sports British style hardware on a supposed French made wing. It can also be found in many other hardware setups, as I guess the faker uses whatever he has on hand at the time. There is also a fake balloon (Aeronaut) wing by this faker/fantasy forger...RUN.

The bomber wing is one of the absolute rarest pieces of Aviation history in existence, this one is pretending to be an original. The originals were hand made by a jeweler, and no pilot at the time would accept crap to place on their tunic. These guys had huge egos, and rightly so. Their wings were the most important source of pride on their uniform. Just for starters, the "US" is not gold as it should be, the letters should not be stacked and there is evidence of casting visible.

[Steven M]

If you don't object, I would like to post these examples in my thread about fake WWI wings...

[hawk3370]

Hello All,

I've noticed the WW1 LeBreve, Paris Pilot Wings all over the internet.

Is LeBreve's quality of fit and finish so crude??

Attached photos of two sets of wings on a "high-end" dealer's site. I know absolutely nothing about these wings. So I'm here to to learn.

The LeBreve wings don't appear anything like the ones I've seen elsewhere - which are readily recognizable as fakes.

The Bomber wings are less clear-cut. I've searched high and low, and some seem better finished while others appear about the same. There is a brass plate beneath the cloth covering.

Best Regards

Luther,
I concur with Steve's comments, he is dead on. Both of these wings are boggus. Could you tell what they are asking for them?
Terry

[Luther]

Hello Hawk3370,

Both are in the mid-$200 range, which was a "tip-off" that something wasn't right. When I come across these kinds of things I post them here.

No dealer is going to sell an authentic WW1 US Bomber badge for $200...right?!

[hawk3370]

Hello Hawk3370,

Both are in the mid-$200 range, which was a "tip-off" that something wasn't right. When I come across these kinds of things I post them here.

No dealer is going to sell an authentic WW1 US Bomber badge for $200...right?!

Luther,
Always a good indicater. When one sees a piece that should be worth $1500 to $2500 and selling for $200, time to look somewhere else.
Terry

[Ron Smith]

Hello all, I'm a FNG and I have to comment on the "Labreve Paris" wings. I have just rec'd. a set from an auction house that I bid with and one of the lots came through with this wing in it (a lot of three). They, the auction house, claims no resposibility, of course.

Wish Id've joined your group before the bidding began!

[Steven M]

Hello all, I'm a FNG and I have to comment on the "Labreve Paris" wings. I have just rec'd. a set from an auction house that I bid with and one of the lots came through with this wing in it (a lot of three). They, the auction house, claims no resposibility, of course.

Wish Id've joined your group before the bidding began!

Ron,

What a shame. I won't ask what you paid but hopefully it wasn't an amount that will hurt for a long time...btw, are you comfortable with the other two wings in the lot? Hopefully the others are good and offset the cost of the fake.

[Croix de Guerre]

Hello all, I'm a FNG and I have to comment on the "Labreve Paris" wings. I have just rec'd. a set from an auction house that I bid with and one of the lots came through with this wing in it (a lot of three). They, the auction house, claims no resposibility, of course.

Wish Id've joined your group before the bidding began!

Ouch,,