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 14-08-21, 02:50 PM
Ian B's Avatar
Ian B Ian B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 424
Default WWII Polish parachute qualification

I'm helping a local vet's group with info for a Polish veteran's display. Can anyone give me a "no less than/no more than" price range for a WWII Polish parachute qualification?

Also, anyone know of an online listing that links the qualification's serial number to a name?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Ian B
__________________
The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14-08-21, 03:07 PM
popskipa's Avatar
popskipa popskipa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,082
Default

Hello Ian,

I would expect to pay £1200.00 to £1500.00 for an original wartime Polish Paratrooper qualification badge.

I have a list of all the numbers/names if you send me a pm I will look him up.

Keith
__________________
I collect badges and medals of London Transport employees and its predecessor and successor companies, bus, tram, trolleybus, underground railway.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14-08-21, 05:02 PM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,034
Default

"Materialy,History of the Polish Parachute Badge" by Jans Lory lists badge numbers and recipients but is an expensive book.

A couple of sales results for badges that sold around 10 years ago (neither bought or sold by me, the sellers and buyers not known to me), they're expensive little items, repros can be had for £10 - £20.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1SBS Para $2740 (2).jpg (33.5 KB, 58 views)
File Type: jpg 1SBS sold Dec 2012.jpg (53.4 KB, 53 views)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15-08-21, 12:09 AM
Ian B's Avatar
Ian B Ian B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 424
Default

Keith and Leigh,

Thanks for the quick replies. Very much appreciated. I only took a quick look at the para qual. It was mounted along with his Polish cap badge and what I think was his collar badge. I will talk to the fellow who brought it to the vet's meeting this past week and see if I can get a look at the back to confirm the ser. no. and the motto. Was the para qual ever produced in the UK during the war, and if so, how do you tell the difference between that and ones produced in Poland?

Further info, there is no combat wreath as the included blurb stated that the soldier made it to France and then to England. Apparently he taught para training and mountain climbing to spec ops pers during the war. After the war he emigrated to Canada, married and had a career in engineering out west. Retired to the Island and passed away some time ago.

Soon as I can confirm details of the reverse, I'll be in touch one way or the other.

Again, thanks for your help.

Regards,

Ian
__________________
The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15-08-21, 04:57 AM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,034
Default

The badges were made by the Polish Military Research Group in London ("GR-Tech") and Kirkwood & Son in Edinburgh.
The collar badge - a grey, roughly lozenge shaped cloth badge with yellow trim at one end and bearing a white metal parachute?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15-08-21, 10:44 AM
popskipa's Avatar
popskipa popskipa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,082
Default

Examples of the Polish Parachutist Qualification badge, both makers shown...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_4800.jpg (65.2 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_4799.jpg (71.5 KB, 59 views)
__________________
I collect badges and medals of London Transport employees and its predecessor and successor companies, bus, tram, trolleybus, underground railway.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15-08-21, 10:49 AM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,034
Default

Are those badges genuine?
My knowledge of these badges is limited, but were the wreaths not always brazed on?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screenshot_20210815-115910_Chrome~2.jpg (8.6 KB, 32 views)
File Type: jpg Screenshot_20210815-115910_Chrome~3.jpg (10.7 KB, 35 views)

Last edited by leigh kitchen; 15-08-21 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Images added.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15-08-21, 10:59 AM
popskipa's Avatar
popskipa popskipa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,082
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by leigh kitchen View Post
Arw those badges genuine?
My knowledge of these badges is limited, but were the wreaths not always brazed on?
Both wings are original. The Combat wreath was attached by any method the recipient chose.
Here another well polished GR Techn wing (this time wreath soldered in place), together with the award booklet, recipients driving permit and medals.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg FullSizeRender.jpg (41.1 KB, 50 views)
__________________
I collect badges and medals of London Transport employees and its predecessor and successor companies, bus, tram, trolleybus, underground railway.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15-08-21, 11:05 AM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,034
Default

Interesting, from what I've read and heard the badges were handed in for the wreaths to be added, it wasn't down to the individual to arrange attachment.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15-08-21, 01:01 PM
Ian B's Avatar
Ian B Ian B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 424
Default Re: Polish Para

deleted
__________________
The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15-08-21, 01:04 PM
Ian B's Avatar
Ian B Ian B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 424
Default Re: Polish Para

Good day Leigh,

Received your PM. Thanks for the extra info. Will check out the website you suggest. If I get a chance to check the reverse of the subj qual, I will let everyone know what I found.

Thanks to everyone for the extra info in previous posts.

Ian B
__________________
The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 18-08-21, 07:38 PM
Ian B's Avatar
Ian B Ian B is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 424
Default Re: Polish para qual

Good day all,

Attaching pics of the subj badges from the O.P. I'm no expert, but I'm willing to say that the para qual looks genuine to me. Only thing is that the nut is not maker marked.

Not sure what is written on the back of the shield that the para qual is mounted on. Any ideas as what the small cross badge under the hat badge might be?

Ian
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Para Qual-Front.jpg (78.0 KB, 36 views)
File Type: jpg Para Qual-Reverse.jpg (58.1 KB, 44 views)
File Type: jpg Mounting Plaque-Reverse.jpg (106.1 KB, 33 views)
File Type: jpg Hat&Collar Badges.jpg (81.1 KB, 39 views)
__________________
The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18-08-21, 07:43 PM
leigh kitchen's Avatar
leigh kitchen leigh kitchen is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9,034
Default

I'm no expert by any means, to me the badge looks genuine.
The "spinner" without a manufacturer's mark is thought to be an early version.
The cross badge is, I think, a scout movement one.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 18-08-21, 08:50 PM
Wooffy's Avatar
Wooffy Wooffy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North West Of England
Posts: 616
Default

Leigh is correct - the cross is a ZHP Scouting One
__________________
__________________________________________________ ______
Always looking for Observer Corps & Royal Observer Corps Items.
My Current 'Wants List' can be found here
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 18-08-21, 11:46 PM
silverwash's Avatar
silverwash silverwash is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 457
Default

the parachute qualification badge was issued to Second Lieutenant Kazimierz Gontorzynski of First Corps. the low issue number ties in with the first pattern of spinner before GR Tech started to put their manufacturing mark on them. the cap badge has the die characteristics of William Scully, Canada
__________________
" the art of collecting badges, darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night "
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 09:32 AM.


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