Are these Naval Aviator's Wings?

Hi everyone,

I'm kind of an amateur collector, but I think I found something neat at a garage sale. Can you help me identify what it is?

From the Google searches I've performed, I think its a Naval Aviator pin from WWII. Of course, I don't know if it's a fake. it has the word MYRGOLD on the back -- I'm not sure what that means or if it's made of gold. It also has a shield that seems to say "MEYER" on it. Could anyone tell me what it is, if its a fake, how old it is, what myrgold means, etc...

My late grandfather was actually a naval aviator in WWII, so it would be really cool if this thing is real.

I tried to attach an image. I hope it goes through. It looks just like this one (http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/12641-myrgold-naval-aviators-wing/) ... but it has the MEYER shield on the back as well. It's approximately 1.5 inches across.

Any ideas? Thanks everyone.

 

If you could get a clearly focused photo of the back would be great.

Can't say that I have seen any wings with both the Meyer shield AND Myrgold before. The problem with Meyer is that the made a lot, however, it has been faked/restruck a lot.

 

Yes it is real

 

I would say it is similar to the one in the link you provided, but it is not "just like" it. There are some significant differences that are noticeable even with the blurry photo. Try and take a clearer photo of the front and back.

 

TD-Tommy: Yes, I see that there are some subtle differences. My pin has stars, I think the one in the image has stripes. It's a small pin (1.5 inches, like I said), so it's difficult to take pictures of. Here's the best I could do.

It only allows me to post images up to 500kb so it might not be very clear. I don't know if there's a way to PM someone on this forum, but if you can and you're wiling to give me your e-mail address, I can certainly e-mail you the images.

 

This is pretty tough to see but the Meyer New York shield is on the left and the MYRGOLD logo is on the right.

 

And, of course, thank you all for your interest and your willingness to share information.

 

its for sure a naval aviator badge, id say probably mid 50's

 

I don't know...But, the stars on the shield are a red flag. Can't remember Naval wings ever having them, they were proposed and rejected in the original design. However, IIRC, very early Army pilot wings had them.

I'm leaning towards fake.

 

WW1 Naval Aviator....
http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/wwi/us/images/presleynavy2frtlg.jpg

 

Okay, I'll be the wet blanket.

I hesitated to jump in on this because when I went to look the miniature wings I had, they were not where I expected to find them. They turned up eventually.

I have two of them, both from H&H. These I know are the real deal because they were my father’s. Folks tend to call these “sweetheart wings” and while I suppose one might give one to a sweetheart, they were actually an article of uniform. The 1½ wings were worn by naval aviators up until 1943 on their overseas caps, either in aviation green or khaki. When the powers that be ordained the miniature regular cap device for overseas caps, aviators were no long authorized their special cap insignia; though, it is not hard to find pictures of Admiral Halsey with both on his cap . . . no one is going to tell a four-star he’s out of uniform. My father was designated a naval aviator in November 1940, so, yes, he wore these and if I were to go to the effort, I could conjure pictures of same.

Anyway, I’ve looked at the set presented in the OP and I am inclined to believe they are reproductions . . . the wings themselves are not spaced right, being spread too far from the anchor’s stocks and at an odd angle of same . . . also take a close look at the feathers near the anchor flukes, they appear poorly defined or cast . . . as has been pointed out above, there is the uncertainty of the stars on the shield. I’ve, and not counting these two miniatures, six wings which my father wore in the 31 years (out of 33 years commissioned service) he was entitled to wear wings. None of the pin-on types, clutch-back or pin-back, have stars on the shield, not a one, and the one embroidered set has but three stars. Also none of the metal wings have more than one manufacturer/proof mark, that’s five full size and two miniatures . . . and I think if one were to research USN aviator wings you would find that stars on the shield are conspicuous for their absence. See http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org4-24.htm and scroll down to “Evolution of Navy Wings”, an official USN publication.

Nice copy, in my opinion, but not quite right and therefore not the real deal. Real miniature wings look like this:

View attachment 20913

 

Similar in that they are wings. Compare the quality of the strikes, the detail of the feathers, the anchor line, and the arms and flukes themselves . . . the difference in the quality is, if you'll pardon the pun, striking. I believe what you are looking at in the OP is a recast. And you only see stars on a very few WWI era wings, mostly due to a lack of standardization.

 

I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle on that. Anyone who has ever bought rank or other insignia at uniform sales, cash sales or the px knows that there are varying qualities; even in items from the same manufacturer. I think that is what we see here. Generally the grades: Award/Service Grade and Dress Grade.