US 11th airborne patch
 

Might anybody be able to throw some light on this patch l recently obtained. It’s large so was not worn on a tunic. I estimate 50/60s manufacture. Possibly for wear on a A2 jacket or overalls although it is quite stiff in texture. Any help gratefully received.

Hi

Can you show the back.

Phill

11th airborne patch
 

Enclosed photo of patch reverse

To my eye it looks like a Japanese made 11th Airborne shoulder patch from the 50's.

Phill will be able to confirm this or otherwise.

Paul

11th airborne badge
 

Thanks for your input Paul, it has obviously got stiff with age but it is 6inches long which is huge if it is worn on ones arm!
Regards Pete

It might be a jacket patch given the size of it Pete.

Paul

Hi there Pete and Paul

Looks like Paki made to me.

The size is too big, the bullion embroidery with black lines are typical of this style of Paki produced patch's.

These first started appearing in the mid 80's when I started collecting, they were mainly 82 and 101st and had the same manufacturing style.

So these are now 30-40 years old and will have some age to them. I'm not sure if this one is faded or they used incorrect colour felt.

Japanese never used felt.

They used high quality bullion and raw silk to fill in the design (hand made) which have a different look and they also used rice paper as a backing.


Phill

11th airborne patch
 

Many thanks Phil, all information is useful, l agree that it’s size lends itself to a jacket patch and bow to your experience in seeing these items in the past that suggests it to be of late origin.
Regards Pete

Hi Pete

There will probably be a million variations of the 11th Abn as it served overseas from 1942-1955 in Japan, Korea(187th ARCT assigned) and Germany.

All theatre made hand or machine made by seamstress and tailors.

The trick is to know the styles of embroidery from specific years and where the unit was active. As an example occupation period(1945-1950) v 1960's/70's made styles are different, however if you don't know what your looking at it all looks the same "theatre made" pieces.

The same applies to me when I first started collecting British WWII FS(18 months ago), before I started to purchase Pegasus FS, I scoured this forum and others to figure out what I was actually looking at to judge a WWII era peggie.

I follow the same process as I do with US patches , reference material , forums and if you are lucky you learn off people like Paul (3 battalion), Jerry Bond, Mike B, Mike J, Post Warden and the like.

I am always learning and asking specific questions on manufacturing techniques of the era, as I see it as part of the armory against fakes and reproductions.

Hopefully I can repay in kind by sharing knowledge.

Phill

Pete,

I always defer to Phill on US insignia. Unlike me, he patiently studies every piece and provides a detailed response.

Good collecting.

Paul