Posted 12 years ago
JessWonder…
(4 items)
I found this today in my travels. It looks a lot like the WWII US Navy Officer's Pin but it is solid 10K gold and I didn't run across any of those online, only sterling and gold plated. Is it a real officer's pin? Anyone help me solve the mystery?
I can only address the 10KTP which might not be familiar to many. The "P" after the 10KT is for "plumb" and means actual carat content.
Hopefully one of the many military experts can address your question.
After reading this listing, I can only guess that it was a "special order."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ww2-Navy-collar-Insignia-18K-gold-private-purchase-pin-/320777952741#vi-content
Thank you for the info about special orders. That helps me find places to research online!
I think it is a higher quality option with a higher price tag.
To this day, there are varying options in military uniforms and insignia.
Scott
Jess, I just took another look and concluded that your pin was probably cast in gold from the original by a jeweler but I could be wrong. I had a friend who did this when she lost one of her expensive, designer earrings. The result was remarkably excellent except that some of the finer detail was lost.
It should have hit me earlier since the "real" pins, insignias, etc. have the maker and other marks on this back, which yours does not. Also, the back of yours is solid and the details are "chunkier" than the originals. Here are great photos of the front and back of an original. Click on the "enlarge" button in this listing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-WW2-ERA-U-S-NAVY-OFFICERS-STERLING-CAP-BADGE-PINBACK-VANGUARD-NY-/360392727307?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D360399610263%26ps%3D54
Fascinating. That's wild. Thanks!
Each mark says the same: 10kp . There is one mark on each segment, The two segments are soldered together.