Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
SPECTACULAR AND EXTREMELY RARE US M1913 GOLD MILITARY AVIATOR BADGE
02-20190
This 14-karat gold Military Aviator Badge of WWI was originally issued to 24 officers of the fledgling Army Air Corps and, according to a world-renowned expert, the late J. Duncan Campbell, there are only 5 original M1913 badges still in existence in private collections. Mr. Campbell pictures and writes at length about this rare badge in his 1977 book “Aviation Badges and Insignia of the United States Army 1913-1946”.
This badge has a top bar that is die-struck and reads “MILITARY AVIATOR”. Suspended from the bar is an in-flight eagle grasping 2 Signal Corps flags. The left flag has an inlaid silver border to the flag with a gold center, and the right flag has an inlaid silver center with a gold flag. The reverse has a T-bar pin with an early lever lock safety clasp, sometimes referred to as a Tiffany clasp. The badge was manufactured in 1913 at the Rock Island Arsenal of Illinois.
The chance to acquire one of these rare badges for an aviation collection may only occur once in a lifetime. This is an exceptional example of unquestionable authenticity.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: included with this badge is a signed and notarized “Affidavit of Authentication” from J. Duncan Campbell, signed on the 17th day of June 1994. There are also photographs of the front and back of the badge signed by Duncan Campbell on the above date. There is a handwritten personal letter from Duncan Campbell to the consignor, expounding on the virtues of this wonderful badge. Lastly, there is a letter from the consignor to Duncan Campbell, thanking him for his authentication and the original bill of sale from when the consignor purchased the badge.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
