 
WWI "Dallas: Wing |
3" Sterling Pinback Wings |
WWI Bullion Pilot
Attributed to Major John Huffer
Commander 93th and 94th Aero Squadrons |
3" Pilot 30's style - BB&B Pattern "Sterling" |
Bullion Junior Military Aviator |
|
3" 1930's Airship pilot
" Pasquali & Co. Sterling"
I have been trying to track down the origin of these wings for several
years. The following is my theory: This wing (mine) was purchased
several years ago on eBay; It came out of the western part of the U.S..
This was the first one saw on eBay, since then I have seen several
more. At first, they all came out of the west, now they have been seen
all over the country. A set of these also turned up in a 30-year-old
collection. I have since held 3 of these, and each one had a different
pin. A collector friend who had access to a spectrometer had a set
analyzed and apparently the silver was of a type used in the 40's. The
construction is correct, soldered posts and they are die struck. The
wings are very heavy. The first thing that jumps out is the spelling
"Pasquali” (of which I can find no reference) NOT "Pasquale" which was a
known wing maker. In addition, the wing I have has a very lightweight
pin, the wing from the older collection had a heavier pin, the third
wing had different wing from the other two. Finally, there was yet
another set of these being sold by a dealer who was selling off much of
the old stock of an shop called "The House of Swords". Apparently, this
store commissioned many incredibly well made fakes of all types, lots of
Nazi items and WWI wings. Though yet another collector, I discovered
that apparently it was a family member of the owner of the House of
Swords that was selling this old stock on eBay and privately through
this intermediary dealer. This intermediary dealer was located out
west. I know that there is a lot conjecture here on my part, but the
facts seem to add up. A collector buys one of these in the late 70's
early 80's, nice pin possibly from the House of Swords, or on the
secondary market. The owner of the House of Swords dies suddenly, and
these wings disappear from the market. 30 years later, A family member
starts "cleaning out the basement" and these wings resurface, possibly
without the pin. Pins are added with whatever is handy, and they start
showing up on the market again. Please feel free to drop me an email if
you have any other info that either proves or disproves my theory!"
|
1" 1930's Style Airship pilot " Sterling"
(unsure of date) |
WWI Enlisted Pilot Sleeve wing
(variation) |
Matched set Air Service Officers Collar Insignia
Marked "BB&B Sterling"
Sew on style |
Matched set Air Service Officers Collar Insignia |
Officer's Collar Insignia |
|
Matched set First Lieutenant's Bars
Marked "BB&B Sterling" |
WWI Lafayette Escadrille Ribbon
|
First Army Air Service Patch
|
Officer's Cap Insignia |
