Help? US? Riders Insignia

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

A recent find of a very nice quality 'winged wheel' patch. I believe (?) this may be an early US motorcycle despatch rider badge but I'm not really sure.

I have very little experience with US insignia so any thoughts suggests greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Roy

[cbuehler]

In my 25 years of collecting US insignia, I have never seen anything like this.
A very interesting patch, but I highly doubt it is US.

CB

[Roy]

Hi CB,

Thank you for that. Found here in the US and I have seen similar designs associated with the US but more modern. This example appears to have some age to it and although unworn (I.e. nice condition) the quality looks early to me, but what do I know

Thanks for your input, let's hope someone will have an idea.

Cheers,

Roy

[cbuehler]

Well, one never knows. It is not impossible that it is US military, but it certainly does not have US made construction style apart from the unknown design.
Try posting it on the US militaria forum website.

CB

[Roy]

Hi CB,

Thanks for that mate, always appreciated knowledgable insight. The seller did thing this was police but with it being kaki I would think more Army.

I'm not a member of the US forum, however if you are and I could impose on you to ask on my behalf? Drop me a pm with your email and I will fire you over some pics or just down load them from here.

Cheers,

Roy

[jubilationtcornpone]

Hi Roy,

That is the US Army motor transport corps, WWI.

Don

[Roy]

Hi Don,

Wow! Thanks for that. Any further information or links to exploring this unit?

Cheers,

Roy

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by jubilationtcornpone

Hi Roy,

That is the US Army motor transport corps, WWI.

Don

I am familiar with the MTC badges, but not this one with the arrow through the wheel.

CB

[jubilationtcornpone]

Hi CB,

I googled motor transportation corps, looked at images and one similar to this showed up. I vaguely remember seeing on like this somewhere.

Don

[jubilationtcornpone]

This is from the usmilitariaforum.com

Photo No. 94: The Motor Transport Corps (MTC) was formed out of the QTMC by General Orders No. 75, dated August 15, 1918. The bulk of the men who staffed the new corps were comprised of skilled tradesmen from the American automotive industry. The MTC was responsible for the design, procurement, storage, maintenance, replacement and supervision of all motor vehicles in the AEF. Motor vehicles were defined as: bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks and trailers. Caterpillar tractors and tanks did not fall under the purview of the MTC, as they were the sole responsibility of the Ordnance Department.
The variety of SSI worn by the Motor Transport Corps (MTC) is evident by this selection of SSI; all of which are comprised of variations of the initials ‘MTC’, as well as a wheel with spokes or the winged helmet of Mercury.

Don

[jubilationtcornpone]

From the usmilitariaforum.com

Don

[cbuehler]

Hi Don,
Actually, I am familiar with the SSI shown on the USMF, but although somewhat similar, it is considerably different from the one shown on this thread.
I still have my doubts as there are examples for police or other civilian patches that are much closer in design to the one in question.
If it does indeed turn out to be MTS, I think it would be quite a rare patch!

CB

[jubilationtcornpone]

Hi CB,

I have to agree. My WWI reference doesn’t show this. The quality of construction is much better than I would expect for a theater made example. Maybe post war for collectors? Maybe something entirely different.

Don

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Thanks very much for all your thoughts, help and assistance regarding this badge. The seller seemed to think it was an early (US) police motorcycle insignia but with it being kaki I'm sure it would be more in line with military insignia.

My gut feeling is that it is still US and early, WWI or inter-war.

Please ask anyone you know, feel free to share image on other forums or with friends. It's a nice quality patch that looks early (to me) so it would be nice to get to the bottom off it. I will still look around on the internet in the meantime.

Cheers,

Roy

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I found this link which may be of interest.


http://www.policemotorunits.com/the-...ing-wheel.html


If I'm understanding the text correctly, the 'winged wheel with arrow' was used by US military motor cyclists, the 'arrow' indicating being armed. It appears this was adopted post WWI by police units.

I'm not quite sure where my patch fits in but it does look more military than police, so may it was/is a scarce WWI Army Motor Cyclist patch?

Cheerio,

Roy