British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > Everything Else > Foreign Badges and Insignia

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16-01-19, 08:29 PM
castagain's Avatar
castagain castagain is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Western USA
Posts: 225
Default 1937 French Parachute Section badge -- good?

Hello all,

I recently obtained a French "Section de Parachutistes" (Parachutist Section) badge, and I'd appreciate opinions regarding its authenticity from Forum members who specialize in French insignia.

The original badges were made in 1937 by Mourgeon for the first French parachute school established at Avignon-Pujaut, where volunteers for the 601st and 602nd "Compagnie d'Infanterie l'Air" (Air Infantry Company) were trained.

The badge was reproduced in 1970 by M. Richard, but there are slight differences on the front of the two versions. Additionally, a fellow collector who has handled a couple of the Richard reproductions tells me they have the "Mourgeon Paris" postwar hallmark on the back of the badge (thanks Scott). I've compared the photos on page 5 of the book "French Parachutist Brevets" by Lafleur and Pugh of the original 1937 badge (no. A-30) and the Richard reproduction (A-31), and the badge in hand looks like it may be an original, as far as I can surmise.

Whether good news or bad, I'd appreciate an expert opinion on this one.

Best regards,
Donovan
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2464.jpg (58.7 KB, 100 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2465.jpg (97.0 KB, 77 views)
__________________
Always looking for authentic badges from WW2 parachute & special units

Last edited by castagain; 18-01-19 at 03:42 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26-01-19, 04:03 PM
lugerlout lugerlout is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 19
Default

Hi, whilst far from an expert I am a collector of French insignia (but mainly the French Brevet Parachutiste Militaire (BPM)......anyway my best reference book by Jacques Baltzer & Eric Micheletti has some clear images of a badge such as yours and lists one each with and without (sans marque) the Mourgeon mark, the only thing missing in all the book illustrations are photos of the reverse but otherwise its a good reference........do you have any other French airbourne forces insignia..........??

Phil
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0986.jpg (57.8 KB, 53 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0987.jpg (52.6 KB, 57 views)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25-09-20, 08:53 AM
grognard94's Avatar
grognard94 grognard94 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Northern France (Picardy)
Posts: 44
Default

Hello,
There are 3 types of this badge.
Yours
a badge with 2 rings on the reverse
a badge with the manufacturer's markings
Yours is the only genuine one.
This is a rare badge
best regards
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25-09-20, 10:53 PM
castagain's Avatar
castagain castagain is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Western USA
Posts: 225
Default

Thank you Grognard94, excellent news. I appreciate the confirmation.

Stay well,
Donovan
__________________
Always looking for authentic badges from WW2 parachute & special units
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26-09-20, 04:05 AM
3battalion's Avatar
3battalion 3battalion is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 798
Default

Nice addition Donovan.

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26-09-20, 08:58 PM
castagain's Avatar
castagain castagain is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Western USA
Posts: 225
Default

Thanks Paul, I appreciate it. Hope all is well with you.

Cheers,
Donovan
__________________
Always looking for authentic badges from WW2 parachute & special units
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27-09-20, 09:18 AM
half12's Avatar
half12 half12 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Paris & Britanny
Posts: 379
Default

Hi Donovan,

In fact it is little bit more complicated... there is still no evidence in regulations or on period pictures that this badge was actually miltary, or even worn by military personnel ... (I should be interested to have one !)

The unit in Avignon-Pujaut was the CIP (Centre d'Instruction Parachutiste), and the first pre-war badges registered are the "Brevet militaire de Parachutiste" worn on the left arm, and the 601st & 602nd GIA (Groupe d'Infanterie de l'Air) enamel badges worn on the chest ...

Here is, IMO, the best summary of the origines of the French military para forces... (sorry, in french ...)
https://lescharognardsdotcom.wordpre...aire-francais/

(A lot of inaccuracies in the books shown ...)

Best regards .. Herve
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 09:54 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.