Hi. I just found these tucked away at my mums house and wondered if they are original WW2 issue? My grandad was in 7 Para 1944/45. The wings are reversable, which I've never seen before. Alex.
Alex, I didn't have any luck finding reversible WW2 British Airborne wings on the web. However, I could have missed them somewhere. Yours look genuine enough but I'm hardly an expert on the matter. I'll put up my Father's at some point, just need to ask the brother a question or two. Regards ...
Alex, Just a thought. With most of the wings I've viewed there is an obvious difference in quality to the front and back. Occasionally though you come across ones where the difference is much less. See for example the wings second down in first post of this thread at the War Relics Forum by Jerry. British airborne insignia Regards ...
Horizontal stitching on the feathered wings is generally considered to be one of the signs of genuine war time Para wings. Post war issue and copies tend to have diagonal or vertical stitching. Of the four wings that I have posted, at least three are copies and possibly one is post war issue. They all came from car boot sales.
I'm not sure the wings are WW2 issue, I was hoping my grandad ripped them off his uniform before he de-mobbed. Both the pics I posted have stitch marks around them so they have been worn. Also the "parachute" shoulder flash was early airborne issue I'm led to believe, my grandad did jump trailing in July 44 so I suspect all shoulder flashes were "parachute regiment" by then? Alex.
Alex, For more advice on the badges could get some further details from Chairborne Militaria or Regimentals they'll have a better idea. They do appear to be original.
On Chairborne Militaria that brithm pointed to I noticed one very similar to Alex's wings. Code 12196, said to be, "Standard wartime UK made type. Removed from uniform". Notice the reverse which is also fair quality but definitely on a mesh backing. Jerry over at War Relics gets doubtful at the slightest slant in the wing stitching. Parachute wings ww2? There's a slight slant on the left of Alex's wings but not the right, so probably not an issue. Regards ...
Alex, Ok that is great you found out they are authentic WW2 wings and Para title ... Front and back are very similar and I can see why you wondered if it was reversible. In my opinion the front is 4216 with its consistent pale blue thread. Notice it's smudged up pretty good from being exposed and has no doubt seen some action. Bits of thread that were used to sew it on are still there in 4216 after they were snipped to remove wings. If you look carefully at 4215 the stitching is not as smooth and you can see ridges in the feather bands. Also some white shows which could be just wear - not sure. But yeah pretty interesting at how close they are in appearance front and back. Regards ...
Hi. Yeah I see what your saying. Only found these yesterday! He valued them but are most definitely not for sale!! Alex.
Just wondering if the "parachute" title was issued on completion of hardwick and ringway? Or perhaps at the end of the war ( grandad demobbed in October 45) in holding battalions?All the pics I've ever seen on paradata and Pegasus it's always "parachute regiment" Alex.
Alex, One of the better treatments of the subject published by Military Mode is British Airborne Insignia Volumes 1 & 2 by Oliver Lock. I only have Allied Special Forces Insignia, 1939-1948 by Peter Taylor and this is what he writes on shoulder titles and patches: "The first shoulder titles with the word PARACHUTE in light blue on maroon appeared in early August, 1941, while they were still serving with the 11th Special Air Service Battalion. Previous to this Paratroopers and Glider pilots wore a printed curved airborne title in light blue on maroon; in 1941 the Pegasus patch appeared; the badge was of Bellerophon astride Pegasus, in pale blue on dark maroon. This was to be worn by all airborne forces and in facing pairs. Then in September, 1941, on the formation of the 1st Battalion, the title changed to a curved title with the word PARACHUTE, with a 1 for 1st Parachute Battalion, 2 for the 2nd Battalion, 3 for the 3rd Battalion and 4 for the 4th Battalion; this is the rarest of all the titles. These titles were unofficial and later it was decided to remove the numbers to hide the identity of the battalions. These titles were worn until August, 1942, when the Parachute Regiment was officially formed. The title was then changed to PARACHUTE REGIMENT, dark blue on light blue and comes in printed or woven examples. ... As well as the new title they were also to wear the Pegasus patch, light blue on maroon; the title AIRBORNE again comes in light blue on maroon." The wings I assume were handed out after the successful completion of the Para jump course at Ringway. Was the maroon beret and badge handed out at the same time? How they accumulated all the other insignia I'm not sure perhaps later from the quartermaster at the Battalion camp they were assigned to. It's hard to make out the colour of your Parachute title, it seems rather dark and also has a covering (padding) on the rear. Regards ....
Hi. So as I thought, by the time my grandad had joined the title badge was "parachute regiment" not sure where this title badge come from but it's apparently genuine and from the original issue of paratroops. If you look at my originsl pic you'll see the title badge is red background dark blue lettering. Alex.
Really pleased for you Alex. Authentic wings! Hardwick and Ringway are being mentioned. Also, many British gained their wings in India too. I have the authentic wings 1941/1942 India. Veronica.
