[zorgon]

Amidst the myriad of metal eagles, much has been discussed about identifying a true “Pathfinder” issued wing. Like all metal eagles, they are usually difficult to associate to a specific individual, manufacturer, uniform, era or even country. I would venture to say that there is no one unique style or manufacturer for the Pathfinder awards in WWII. The British certainly had their own issues, often with pin backs but also posts and nuts were issued as has been previously discussed in posts in the BBF, particularly by PFF Museum.
One must remember, and it has been stated by others, that the Pathfinder Eagle is merely a symbol representing an extraordinary courageous service provided the recipient. If you were awarded such an honour, it isn’t critical exactly what you wore on your left breast pocket but that you had earned the right to do so. Many probably lost the original and replaced it with whatever was available; others may have chosen to go to a jeweler to have a special edition of the eagle made. Perhaps fellow Forum readers from Britain and the Commonwealth countries can add to this post with confirmed examples of their own, recognizing this has been discussed in previous posts in the BBF. When known, we should spend more time honouring the recipient than the symbol of their actions.

Image one illustrates a RCAF pathfinder wing issued between 1943 and 45. The style is recognizable and from the front, identical to that often found on the officer’s wedge cap badge of that era. This example is unique in that it has the makers mark of the Montreal manufacturer, C.Lamond and die struck with two post fasteners. The width is 55mm. Image two shows what appear to identical but are manufactured with much lighter construction and usually stamped rather than cast and fitted with rather fragile tangs or stronger screw posts.
One important consideration on this and perhaps all badges is the weight. This marked example weighs 6.4 gm compared to the standard un-marked equivalent style cast and stamped badges designed for cap wear which weigh between 4.3 and 4.7 gm. Perhaps weight should be used more often to help determine and identify badges? As Warren Carroll notes on p.15 of Eagles Recalled, this example has a completely flat tail which I think was probably ground flush prior to finishing and gilding. It’s definitely a higher guality than normally found. How Mr. Carroll knew to describe this as a Pathfinder eagle, I wish I would have asked.