If you are looking for a WW2 patch I do not believe this one is correct.
Marty
Fortune favors the brave 644th td
Hi Saruman
101st Division was a title that was used from 1918 (National Army)-August 1942 for the Organized reserve based in Wisconsin , basically an Infantry Division.
Your patch is for 101st Airborne Division August 1942 , all the infantryman were cycled out and replaced with volunteers for the newly activated Airborne Division (Training).
Now to your patch , this style is considered to be a" scribble eye" that was used from the early 1950's , however there are/ is a similar one based on the research from Mark Bando site.
Manufacturing style changed little from 1942-1955, however one point I would like you to look at is the khaki edge, note that it is stringy edge, every WWII patch was hand cut right to the edge and should be firm.
The actual snowy white back was used into the 50's by some manufacturers.
Also all Tabs were rescinded from 1946-49, so you will see post WWII Airborne troops without the tab
Below is MB site
Eagle Patch Corner
Phill
Ok, I understand. Thank you very much for your answer and help !!
Just picked this off Fleabay last week. Appears to be slightly older
than Saruman's example above.........
Regards,
Steve.
Hi Steve
Sorry but this is early 1950's when it was a Training Division without the Abn tab.
The Korean war era patches are known for not having the khaki twill cut back to the edge , also the eye is regarded as scribbled eye mostly seen from the 50's on.
The reason why it looks "earlier" is that its probably done by the same individuals using the same machinery, same tape(if not creating a new one based on previous tapes) however modifying the design slightly.
They would of used the same rayon thread, backing twill as used during WWII.
Phill
Thanks Phill - I knew it was definitely not WWII, thought the
construction is different from the above example, in that
the 'cut-edge' base material extends further out
from the black border.
It's a fascinating and often confusing area of collecting,
and I see a lot of post-war and modern types
selling for ridiculous prices.........
Regards,
Steve.
Excellent info Phil.
Thank you for sharing it and the link.
I put that on my fav's.
Semper Fi
Phil
l
Hi Steve/Phill
Yes it is confusing but if you go of Bando's site , that is pretty much what to look for.
For my WWII collection I only have several variations which would be the basic standard eagle.I also collect 1950's into 60's eagles as examples to compare with WWII eagles.
Where it gets real confusing is that collectors want to get the " Types" and the "Types" that Bando has shown are the major groups he has encountered (interviewed thousands of veterans) , there are numerous other sub groups with slight details, I believe he produced a booklet with all these and more variations.
The reason why they did not cut back to the edge was cost ,to save time and money.
During WWII all patches were hand cut back to the edge.
The first 2 images are WWII the rest are post WWII. I have more 50's eagles.
Attachment 1290893Attachment 1290894Attachment 1290895Attachment 1290896Attachment 1290897Attachment 1290898
Phill
Great info Phill, thanks again. Much like yourself, I have several
later examples as comparisons - including modern subdued
and desert tan patches as well........
Regards,
Steve.
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