Ist type SAAF Eagle Finial

[Brian Conyngham]

This is a 1st Type SAAF Swooping Eagle finial, some have said these date back to just after WW1 and there is no actual proof of this but appear to have been worn up to the mid to late 1930's by some Officers possibly Aide de Camps. See officer on left.

I have only ever seen this one picture of it actually being worn, would appreciate more info or pictures. Feel free to contribute to this thread.

I purchased this one 2 years ago being sold as a "Imperial German Helmet Ornament" or so the label said .... !

Brian

[leigh kitchen]

I've never seen or heard of these helmet fittings before - very interesting items.

[Drummajor]

Yes, I agree, very interesting. Thanks for posting.
Phil.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Brian
That's a fantastic piece and amazing photo. Have you id'd the senior officer sitting? I though maybe Sir Pierre VR but I think not. Nice to see the rare embroidered collar badges being worn as well. Are the other 2 senior officers also Air Force? The helmets look the same as the captain but no brevets, though the guy on the left may have one slightly hidden by his aiguillette?I'm very interested because I'd never thought of the Air Force using the staff cap badge, so that's news to me. Can you see if the badges are just the lion on the crown or the lion holding the staves on the crown?
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[Brian Conyngham]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Hi Brian
That's a fantastic piece and amazing photo. Have you id'd the senior officer sitting? I though maybe Sir Pierre VR but I think not. Nice to see the rare embroidered collar badges being worn as well. Are the other 2 senior officers also Air Force? The helmets look the same as the captain but no brevets, though the guy on the left may have one slightly hidden by his aiguillette?I'm very interested because I'd never thought of the Air Force using the staff cap badge, so that's news to me. Can you see if the badges are just the lion on the crown or the lion holding the staves on the crown?
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

Alex I think the chap on the right was one of the Brinks, maybe George? Will try and find out more, Im sure there is a similar uniform in the SAAF museum?

Will Endley sent me this pic, he would have been able to confirm who is who.

Brian

[Arthur R]

Very nice eagle and photo, Brian.

The officer standing on the right certainly looks like George Brink. The one sitting down is Maj Gen Andries Brink, who was Chief of the General Staff 1920-33. The SAAF captain on the left could be Barend Viljoen, who joined the SAAF in 1927 and became Air Chief of Staff in the 1950s.

[Frank Kelley]

A very good buy and a very handsome eagle, certainly not a nasty Prussian one!

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

This is a 1st Type SAAF Swooping Eagle finial, some have said these date back to just after WW1 and there is no actual proof of this but appear to have been worn up to the mid to late 1930's by some Officers possibly Aide de Camps. See officer on left.

I have only ever seen this one picture of it actually being worn, would appreciate more info or pictures. Feel free to contribute to this thread.

I purchased this one 2 years ago being sold as a "Imperial German Helmet Ornament" or so the label said .... !

Brian

[Brian Conyngham]

Originally Posted by Frank Kelley

A very good buy and a very handsome eagle, certainly not a nasty Prussian one!

Frank

I was over the moon with this buy.

Brian