A very tatty wing

[realownlee]

Bought this many, many years ago....THINK its genuine????........never been sure.
Had a hard life, poss stuck in album, or behind glass...thread was there when I purchased it. Thoughts please!

[David Tremain]

I think it must be an early one, how early I'm not sure, but I'd stick my neck out and say 20s or 30s, maybe. Mike, I defer to your expert knowledge.

David

[RCAF_Mike]

If you are referring to me, I must admit I'm no expert, only a collector. They do look like an early set to me. David I'd say your estimate of era is a good one, late 20s to early 30s

[Nichollg]

Yeah I agree. Early pilot wings, i'd say the 20s

[David Tremain]

I couldn't find anything in Warren Carroll's book on wings, and I don't have 'Eagles Recalled', but I was basing on the shape and arch of the wings. A nice pair to have, even if they are a bit tatty. What do you expect for that age?

David

[SAS1]

I'd disagree they are 1920s. Wings of that period tend to be quite refined and elongated.

With these they are mishapen and uneven. Look closely at the crown, the wreath and the innermost three lower feathers in particular. They are certainly not machine made but hand made, so I'd think most likely theatre made. That is more likely to make them wartime to me, and if you rely heavily on Eagles Recalled or Warrens other book, a reason why this pattern doesn't appear.

[RCAF_Mike]

Also keep in mind that there were RAF officers stationed at many frontier posts during the interwar years. Theatre made yes, but it's possible that it was made for an officer serving in a foreign place like India in the 20s, or maybe even Iraq. It looks foreign made, and early.

[SAS1]

The thing with theatre made wings is you can't specifically date them as they don't follow a particular pattern. However, the numbers of officers stationed in places like Africa and India was relatively small compared to the wartime years and as such the market for hand made badges also small. With the huge influx into these areas during WW2 the trade took off as supplies were much harder to come by. Although not impossible of course, theatre made wings prior to the war are quite unusual to find on uniforms with traceable history or provenance placing them in that period.

[Wingnut]

Could be theatre made. Could be 20's. It's a nice wing either way. The backing reinforcing cloth is more consistent with later manufacture of 2nd war time frame. No can say for sure either way without proveanance. I would be happy to own it and it is great conversation piece. Thanks for sharing.