Fake KISKA Patch??

[GregN]

I'm calling this a reunion patch for KISKA as for $4.00, it can't be a good one.

Greg

[boots and saddles]

Hi Greg
Yout thread interested me as I have one orignal kiska patch that I knowof and one copy that I know of, the others are questionable, I will include them all. the first which is a single is the real one I got it off a RCA vet that served there, the others are from the states one of which was from a Majors collection (which tells me nothing) but one looks good from the back another looks almost the same front & back so who knows. Notice where the border ends on the patch on the right. Ray

[guest_000]

With the Kiska patch they where made in two countries and Ray from what I know of them both yours look good and appear to be both US made different makers albeit it is a minefield with these . From what I understand many of the contingent formed up in Washington state and recieved their patches from US sources there

[boots and saddles]

Thanks Paul Here are two more, Who knows what a good one is? I keep my orignal one marked. There are two of the other ones I like ,Just impossible to say. Ray

[Bill A]

Hi Ray, It appears that all of the Kiska patches except your first one are repro. This patch has been the subject of reproduction for years. Some were made for reunion or the association while others were made for fraudulent purposes. Oddly enough, it is not a rare patch, but it is scarce.
A note for cloth collectors. The type of border, known as a merrowed border, as found on the right hand patch in the last image posted by Ray is a post war patch. Merrowed borders were not developed as an embroidery style until after WW2, and this can be used to evaluate patches. A black light would also be helpful. WW2 thread was not synthetic and does not glow under black light. Post war thread is mostly synthetic and does glow under a black light. Current repro artists are on to this and are using non-glow thread, but older repros can still be detected by using this method.
Ray, Can you post an image of the FSSF reverse?

[guest_000]

For my own interest are you saying then that the badge to the right in the second plate is a dud ?

PAUL

[Bill A]

Paul, The badge on the right in the fourth image, and the back of the same badge, which is on the right in the second image are merrowed edge embroidered. They are post war manufacture.
The badges in the second set of images posted by Ray appear to be repros from the looks of them.

[Bill A]

Here are some more examples of authentic Kiska patches. The embroidered patch and the printed patch with the stitching marks came from a Kiska veteran. The second printed patch is an unworn example. Note that it is a different pattern than the first.

[guest_000]

OKAY GOT IT may be this one should be pinned it is an important thread

PAUL

[GregN]

Ok guys, it's late her in Toronto but I'm on BC time so I'm really tired. Is it my sleep deprivation that makes me think that my patch looks much like Jim's original?

G

[Bill A]

Greg, Look at the backing on Ray's (Boots and Saddles) and my example. They have very little blue, while the repros have much more blue showing.

[boots and saddles]

Here goes Bill, Let me know what you think I've had it for about 25-30 years. I'm not saying it's a good one, I don't know. Ray

[Bill A]

Thanks Ray, I am not as familiar with the FSSF arrows as the Kiska, but this one appears at first look to be okay. The khaki thread along the edge is supposed to be one of the clues to look for. As well the overall shape is another.
Compared to the Kiska patch, the FSSF is a true mess. There are copies out there that will fool even experienced collectors.

[Bill A]

I have recently obtained another example of an authentic Kiska patch, the fully embroidered pattern. For reference.

[Bwetdude]

Reviving an old post...

I have two "identical" Kiska patches... that look like BillA's first set.

But are somewhat different. Blade topside has less black thread.... backing is different on the handle part.

Any ideas?