Fssf
 

Can someone tell me if the US part of this force wore the crossed arrows only on a disc, I have the crossed arrows made by myers of new York (I believe) not struck like the Canadian one, I don't know when this one was made or anything about it or if it is a copy, I got it from a Dr. in the US (I believe it was in Pennsylvania) about 30 years ago. Ray

Hi Ray
Have you mistakenly placed this in the British General topic instead of the Canadian, what fssf is i do not understand.

Cheers
Malc

re US collars
 

My understanding from a guy at the Calgary Military Historical Society specializing in FSSF is this: Canadian 'other ranks' wore the "Canada" disk on one collar and the crossed arrow disk on the other, but no hat badge. Some Cdn. officers wore the lugged version crossed arrows sim. to the US FSSF pinback crossed arrows collar badge as a cap badge (I know the description is obtuse since the disk and the crossed arrows themselves are actually both collar badges).

The US ranks, officers and ORs, wore the "US" disk on one side and the crossed arrow disk on the other, as well as the pinback FSSF crossed arrows as a cap badge. This is would be the US-made Meyer type pinback badge.

HI Malc, fssf is First Special Service Force. A Canadian/US unit.

Greg

Thanks greg
for the explanation.
Cheers
Malc

bgpipes
 

:D Hi David S, In the US Army, only enlisted ranks (o r,s) wear discs w/symbols, officers wear symbols cut out (no disc) The photographs I have seen of FSSF forcemen shows officers wearing crossed arrows (no discs) as lapel pins,and cap badge, also enlisted ranks wearing crossed arrows w/discs on one collar or lapel,and nationality "US or CANADA" w/discs on the other collar or lapel.

Fssf
 

Thank you all for that info. Mine is a Meyers crossed arrows no disc with two pins & slide-on caps like you would see on a Legion pin. I just learned that they are called clutch pins. Any comments on that one. Ray

Can you get an image of the arrows Ray?

FssF
 

The best I could do Bill.I couldn't scan the reverse so had to take a photo of it. Maybe you could tell me if it's any good. Ray

Nice Arrows....
 

Thanks Ray. The image is a bit small to read the maker mark, but it does show the clutch pins very well. Is the maker Meyer? I am still learning about these, maybe Bill Ellis or someone more expert can tell us about these badges.

FssF
 

Yes Bill the maker is Meyers of New York & I think there are two initals before Meyer & looks like the first one is N

Meyer marked arrows
 

Arrow badges marked NS MEYER INC NEW YORK are reportedly a briefly worn mid sixties US Special Forces collar. They are very similar to OR's FSSF arrows. A comparison with a period piece reveals that they are from a distinct & different die.

re Meyers collars
 

Mazeas (S24b) illustrates the US collar (I think), rather than the stubbier Canadian version, whereas Tripp's book shows the Canadian, lugged version with the stubby fletching. WW2 pattern US FSSF officer's collars measure approx. 39 mm x 22 mm. Mine have clutches with 2 patent numbers, both which date to Jan 12, 1943. These collars have fletching with 7 distinct feathers, with a small mid-rib on each. There are Meyer marked badges of the same dimension and era.

60s era badges should be distinctly different, esp. the dimensions.

I was told by KM Col (and I'm sure as soon as I repeat this I'll get corrected), that badges made for issue were usually not maker marked, whereas the badges made for sale for private purchase (PX or whatever) were. For an example of carded WW2 Meyer badges, see eBay item #200211081794.

Ken Joyce, who wrote "Into the Maelstrom" the definitive book which examined the uniforms and insignia on the 1st Cdn Para Bn is working on "Crimson Spearhead" which will do the same for the FSSF. I will be publishing this some time next year.

http://www.servicepub.com/images/crimson%20cover.jpg

Aha! clutch pin attachments
 

:DThe clutch pin attachment would more than likely have been worn by a US troop in FSSF, the Canadian troops wore lugged specimens. Both are correct depending on what side of the national border he haled from.:D