Modern wings on black backing

[JON188]

Guys
Bought these yesterday and the seller seemed to remember buying them from a salesman who said they were for use on Saint Johns Ambulance rig by serving military??
Is this dross? Why on a black background.
2 diff patterns here
Thanks
Jon
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[JON188]

Rear view image.jpg

[crest-insignia]

Jon
I have been given 2 accounts on these;
1) They are Royal Navy dress uniform wear.
2) They are reject RAF wings (black backing should be dark blue).

I await more informed opinions
T

[pontecagnano]

Originally Posted by JON188

Guys
Bought these yesterday and the seller seemed to remember buying them from a salesman who said they were for use on Saint Johns Ambulance rig by serving military??
Is this dross? Why on a black background.
2 diff patterns here
Thanks
Jon
Attachment 142183

Hi Jon,

I think these may be Royal Artillery Observers...

Cheers,

Graham.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by pontecagnano

Hi Jon,

I think these may be Royal Artillery Observers...

Cheers,

Graham.

Which RA Observers are you referring too, please?

Marc

[Colin S]

I was told these were for the RA black officer's jersey.

[Alan O]

The RA jersey is blue and they wear gold thread wings on them.

[54Bty]

Thank you for the reply post.

Unless I have missed something over the years, the Royal Regiment of Artillery Officers (and SNCO's in some Regiments) Jersey is dark blue, and not confined to any Observer qualified Officer. Also badges worn on it were (are) gold on dark blue as worn on No. 1 Dress.

Marc

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by JON188

Guys
Bought these yesterday and the seller seemed to remember buying them from a salesman who said they were for use on Saint Johns Ambulance rig by serving military??
Is this dross? Why on a black background.
2 diff patterns here
Thanks
Jon
Attachment 142183

During the 1970's there was an abundance of parachute wings in a multitude of background colours being sold. I think since then various people have tried to justify the existence of them. Some of course do have a place in our Military.

Marc

Just had a dig through my records and there was a cotton embroidered parachute wings badge on a black background for the Royal Marines, however it was in the old style embroidery and in 1955.

[JON188]

The gentleman I got these from remembers the "sales guy" bringing them to his tailors shop when he used to have a business back in the day in the shot.
When I visit him at home he has odd bits in boxes and folders.
He has been very upfront and honest in the couple of years I've known him, and as per my starting thread he was told the dit about SJA and para field ambulance.
But as he said, he has no proof or provenance that this was told to him.

[Mike_2817]

I do not think Saint Johns Ambulance Brigade 'Dress Regulations' include such an embellishment, nor is there a need for a parachute section, and they are fairly strict.

Only thing I can think that is Black are/were the Tankies Black Coveralls? with or without a brassard. Is there not a RTR Black Jumper as well?

[Alan O]

I must disagree I have been assured that St John's Ambulance have had a detachment at Hereford for years. They only do the hills phase at 18 Sigs pace and are excused the jungle.....

[Alan O]

The only wearers of black jumpers for working dress are the RTR. I have never seen a para trained RTR black jumper wearer to see what colour are the wings but the only issue ones are khaki backed. All others are commercial items including the gold thread ones worn on No2 dress jumpers.

As are the green backed ones, desert DPM and MTP - all privately bought.

[Mike_2817]

Re Post #12 Of course they do, They meet at 1800 every Friday weather permitting.

[pontecagnano]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

Which RA Observers are you referring too, please?

Marc

Hello Marc,

Not speaking from personal experience here, although RA is a very common attribution for these wings, I would assume 148 Bty as they are para trained.

These wings have been around quite a while and I have attached five different variants, a couple of which are quite vintage, so they aren't a recent invention for the collectors' market. Unless someone can confirm otherwise I believe they are obsolete. It is sometimes difficult to tell these apart from the navy backed wings Toby mentions unless in good daylight but when the two are put side by side the difference becomes clear.

Note the bottom wing, with issue ticket, is very much in the style of RN/RM wings, possibly adding credibility to the 148 Bty suggestion, but they are definitely black not Navy blue.

The wings are fairly common and can be picked up quite cheaply. Here's a link to a pair:

http://www.sargents-militaria.co.uk/...ver-p-593.html

Any additional information welcomed as I have quite a few of them!

Regards,

Graham