France french airforce cap, further ID please

[Valgor]

I've been pointed to the french subforum by a helpfull hand on this forum.

So here it is.

It is a fleemarket find, bought for a nickle and a dime.

It just felt right.

Never really id' it. I do not know anything about it.

Help is, as always, appreciated.

Edited April 8, 2009 by Valgor

[Valgor]

Any info is much appreciated!

[TacHel]

I can't help you on the crowned badge but the wreath with wings and star is a miniature of French air force pilot's wings.

[Paul R]

I can't help you on the crowned badge but the wreath with wings and star is a miniature of French air force pilot's wings.

What era are the wings?

[Ed_Haynes]

Sadly, we have two parallel, threads going here, so answers will be fragmented and disjointed.

Maybe they should be combined? (Under "Italy?")

[Valgor]

Sadly, we have two parallel, threads going here, so answers will be fragmented and disjointed.

Maybe they should be combined? (Under "Italy?")

Please do.

I was thinking the same but did not dare to open another in Italy.

Please move the thread in the US forum to Italy.

Feel free to delete this one, maybe wait a day or 2, someone might know if the french pilot wings are prewar or postwar.

Kind regards,

V.

[Paul L Murphy]

Please do.

I was thinking the same but did not dare to open another in Italy.

Please move the thread in the US forum to Italy.

Feel free to delete this one, maybe wait a day or 2, someone might know if the french pilot wings are prewar or postwar.

Kind regards,

V.

The design of the wings has remained the same. The way you tell the era is by the manufacturers marks etc on the reverse but from the obverse it looks the same so that is not a help in trying to pin it down.

[Valgor]

The design of the wings has remained the same. The way you tell the era is by the manufacturers marks etc on the reverse but from the obverse it looks the same so that is not a help in trying to pin it down.

I have checked the back of the French pilot wings:

The pin is in a central circular rise, the pin itself bends into the textile. (I hope i'm making myself somewhat clear.)

The pin extends pretty far into the fabric. I can feel it.

The insignia+ pin, i estimate are something like 4.5 cm long.

It is hard to read without ruining it. And i do not want to detach it.

above in high relief: DORE

bottomleft in high relief: OR

bottop right : FIN

I guess this means: guilded - fine gold

How about that. This little one has a few suprises left.

I did not see makers marks or numbers. I was surprised i found any markings at all really. It is a pretty small badge.

Does this tell anything usefull? prewar? postwar?

[Paul L Murphy]

I have checked the back of the French pilot wings:

The pin is in a central circular rise, the pin itself bends into the textile. (I hope i'm making myself somewhat clear.)

The pin extends pretty far into the fabric. I can feel it.

The insignia+ pin, i estimate are something like 4.5 cm long.

It is hard to read without ruining it. And i do not want to detach it.

above in high relief: DORE

bottomleft in high relief: OR

bottop right : FIN

I guess this means: guilded - fine gold

How about that. This little one has a few suprises left.

I did not see makers marks or numbers. I was surprised i found any markings at all really. It is a pretty small badge.

Does this tell anything usefull? prewar? postwar?

Unfortunately that does not help. Normally you can date the full size badges from the address or naming style of the maker. For example, the maker Drago went from Rue Berenger, to Rue Olver-Metra, to Rue Romainville, to only Drago Paris, then to Drago Noisel Marne la Vallee. Depending on the address shown you can identify the period in which the badge was made. If it only sales "fine gilt" on the reverse then this dating is not possible.