Subdued SAS wing - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

johanwiegman · #1 13-02-14, 10:33 PM

Friends,

Attached wing was sold on Ebay USA last week. I was sorry to miss out on it.

Did any of you buy it?

The British Army does not wear subdued SAS wings, so the question is what is this wing? It appears to be a subdued copy of the downswept or 1949 pattern wing.

A theory is that it was worn by British SAS members attached to US Special Forces during the Sixties. These guys were wearing US uniforms, with a Special Air Service tab on it. See picture of that attached.

The alternative explanation is it is a fantasy item, but somehow it looks authentic to me.

Any comments or views welcome.

Cheers,

Johan

Jack8 · #2 14-02-14, 09:08 PM

Hi Johan,

It does look authentic and the theory sounds plausible. It does appear to be of the 1949 downswept pattern and if they wore the regimental name tag then why not the wings.

I was not the buyer, I didn't even see it.

Jack

johanwiegman · #3 14-02-14, 09:23 PM

Hi Jack,

The number of 22 members on exchange to US SF was quite limited. I know US SF NCOs from 10th SF Group in Germany came to 21 on exchang also. Not sure if these Americans were qualified to wear Brit SAS wings.

I have seen a picture of a US Delta member wearing a British SAS wing, but from a later period.

Cheers,

Johan

saumua · #4 14-02-14, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johanwiegman

Hi Jack,

The number of 22 members on exchange to US SF was quite limited. I know US SF NCOs from 10th SF Group in Germany came to 21 on exchang also. Not sure if these Americans were qualified to wear Brit SAS wings.

I have seen a picture of a US Delta member wearing a British SAS wing, but from a later period.

Cheers,

Johan

A guy I work with here in NZ was sigs attached to 22 and he did a couple of exchanges with the Yanks. I will ask him.

Shaun

Farang · #5 18-02-14, 11:03 AM

Hi Johan,

Another piece in the puzzle.

Best regards,

Andy

johanwiegman · #6 18-02-14, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farang

Hi Johan,

Another piece in the puzzle.

Best regards,

Andy

Hi Andy,

Is this a US SF green beret?

How old is it? Any provenance or background to the beret?

Possibly worn by US SF on secondment to SAS?

Cheers,

Johan

JON188 · #7 20-02-14, 07:51 AM

Mate to see if there's any maker marks?
Jon

BADGERMAN · #8 20-02-14, 10:30 AM

could be American on Australian sas secondment vietenam era
being metal unlikely british