strike straight badge
 

Hello

what is this strange badge ?

http://i65.tinypic.com/do11f9.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/dmfo8i.jpg
thanks for answers
cordially
Didier

Hi Didier,

I think, this is possibly a tobacco related promotion badge for the Lucky Strike brand.

Best,

Marcus

Hello Marcus

Thanks a lot for reply !

I really don't think it's Lucky related.... but.....wait and see

cordially
Didier

My first thought was Whale harpooning , any idea where/when it was made ?

There is a pair of cufflinks bearing this design for sale on Etsy at the moment, described as 1950's "Lucky Strike_ tobacco related - "Vintage Lucky Strike Cufflinks indian canoe STRIKE STRAIGHT advertising mother of pearl mop tobacco"

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/6415...ge_type=market

Lucky Strike ran an advert in 1932 featuring Indians but can't see a connection to the badge/cufflinks.

Descriptions on Etsy can sometimes be inaccurate , saw an item described as "British Legion" but was actually a racing pigeon ! Let the seller know and they said it had been in a box with British Legion stuff so they assumed it must be related.

This is the image I had in mind.

Found this reference to the phrase in a 1931 article :

"He would not dart the weapon for any distance but, like the whaling man, wait his chance to strike straight down. A line was attached to the harpoon, the same as in whaling ..."

As you may know Meyer of New York was a well known maker of military and aviation badges, does it have an aviation/bomber squadron connection. Certainly a very well made badge.

Agreed, Mayer made US distinctive unit insignia for the US Armed Forces.
Red is the colour (color?) of artillery and the idea of being a good shot and hitting and killing your target, as in whaling seems clear.
I'm also sure I remember seeing one of these in a collection of dui's I've seen before.
If I get a chance today or tomorrow I'll try to find some reference books I've got. In the mean time I'd mark it as US Army Artillery unit DUI.

Edit; 23 Coastal Artillery Regiment ( Harbor Defense) based in Massachusetts during WW2 which is almost certainly when this badges dates from. Worn on the best uniform in pairs on the collars.

Ian H

Thank you very much , the great thing about this forum is that someone will eventually find the right answer.

Wiki states that their motto was "Strike Straight".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23rd_C...(United_States)

Photo of Distinctive Unit Insignia , 1940.

I checked my originally suggested ID in "Order of Battle WW2" by Shelby L Stanton, and the picture of the DUI he has is identical to the picture in the original post. Not sure why/when they changed it, but I'm sure somebody will know. Anyway, I'm 100% sure that it's the correct ID.

Ian H

Great research ... very interesting to follow.
To be honest I originally wondered if it was military.
Mike

Yes, as mentioned it is a DUI for 23rd CA Harbor Defense, and a scarce early pre war version. They were worn in pairs below the US on the lapel notch and on the Garrison (flat) cap by enlisted men, and on the shoulder straps above the rank insignia by officers.
These insignia were also made with screw back fasteners as well.
Army "DIs" as they are called, were generally dispensed with once the war began, but commonly an popularly worn again at the end of the war by servicemen who could get them.

CB