Machine Gun Military Pinback...What era is this from? SOLVED

[72cheyenne]

Found this little gem today also. Sterling silver. Maltese Cross with a bullseye and Machine Gun below. Obviously there is more missing off the bottom of the Machine Gun emblem. What was below and what era is this from?

[ffuries]

This is the Sharpshooters Badge for the US Army, and if I recall correctly it would be from WWII or later. Could have been any of several different qualification bars attached to it, or none depending on the Soldier. The other possible bars that I can recall are as follows.

Auto-Rifle
Carbine
Aerial Gunner
Pistol
Bayonet
Driver-W
Driver-T
Driver-A
Driver-M
Grenade
Small Bore Rifle
Submachine Gun
Anti-Tank
Mechanic
M-14
M-16
Mortar
M-1 Rifle
BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle)
Bazooka

Mike
USAF Retired

[72cheyenne]

This is the Sharpshooters Badge for the US Army if I recall correctly. Could have been any of several different qualification bars attached to it, or none depending on the Soldier. The other bars are as follows.

Auto-Rifle
Carbine
Aerial Gunner
Pistol
Bayonet
Driver-W
Driver-T
Driver-A
Driver-M
Grenade
Small Bore Rifle
Submachine Gun
Anti-Tank
Mechanic
M-14
M-16
Mortar
M-1 Rifle
BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle)
Bazooka

Mike
USAF Retired

Cool!! Thank you Mike

I knew that there was a few of you here that would be able to nail this one....and you did.

Another question, when did they start using this style badge? Is it still used today?

[ffuries]

They are still in use today, yours being sterling silver, probably dates from WWII.

Mike
USAF Retired

[72cheyenne]

They are still in use today, yours being sterling silver, probably dates from WWII.

Mike
USAF Retired

Thank you once again. Marking this one solved!

[Bigcypresshunter]

My Dad had one from WWII. Its also silver with several hanging medals just as ffuries explained so well. No marking on the cross either and same hinge.

[AU24K]

They are also known as "Qualifying Badges."
Depending on your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), you had to qualify with any variety of weapons.
I was MOS 95B, Military Police. My Qualifying Badges were; Grenade (Expert), Auto-Rifle (M-16, Sharpshooter) and Pistol (.45 Cal., Marksman).

I'm not sure if mine were sterling or not; I just don't remember and I have them in a display frame so I can't look. I served in the Army in the late '70's.


Best,
Scott

[nsdq]

newer ones now use two tacks on the back side with damits,,, the drivers badge is diffrent it will have a wheel in the center, the badge i have has a wreath around the cross for expert, yours is sharp shooter , next one is lowest qual you ca get it is marksman and will just have the cross ,,,,,, very nice finds,,,,, i am looking for sterling jump wings

[MilitaryCollector]

That is WWII and since it's Machine Gun only it's probably from an enlisted US Army Air Force Gunner off a bomber

[nsdq]

[quote=MilitaryCollector ]
That is WWII and since it's Machine Gun only it's probably from an enlisted US Army Air Force Gunner off a bomber
[/quote





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i have machine gun ,m-16, m -4 gernade, pistol, and was in 1999-2005

[Desertfox1]

The same badges were issued in the 60's and 70's, one can still buy the silver medals today in the post exchanges. Nothing old about them. The more weapons that one qualified with the longer your ladder got. Only a garret trooper would wear one with multiple ladders hanging off the main badge.

[Bigcypresshunter]

The same badges were issued in the 60's and 70's, one can still buy the silver medals today in the post exchanges. Nothing old about them. The more weapons that one qualified with the longer your ladder got. Only a garret trooper would wear one with multiple ladders hanging off the main badge.

There is probably a way to determine the WWII era from the modern ones. If someone will be kind enough to post a picture of the backsides we may be able to determine the differences.

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found this with my Dads WWII stuff so its probably his. Notice that it has the same pin, hinge, and is also umarked although it is silver. I believe the hanging parts are marked sterling but I cant find them at this time.

[Bigcypresshunter]

I found his bottom "rifle" piece, 1943 version. We only need a pic of modern one to compare.

[usandthem]

I don't believe the new ones are silver. My Dad did 26 years in the Army and I can remember playing with these things when I was a kid. I remember them as being sterling through the Viet Nam War. I was in the Army from 1977 to 1988 and none of my old Qualification Badges were silver. I have found a few at flea markets and such. They go for about $10 depending on spot prices.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Im going with WWII. A quick search reveals the modern era sharpshooters badges are quite different on the back. I dont know about the Korean era.

[paratrooper]

i am looking for sterling jump wings

You're just a bit late. I was BS'ing with a fellow vet one day. He was with the 187th RCT in Korea. He doesn't have much money so when he admired my wings on my hat I just up and gave them to him leaving me only the sterling set at home. They were worn by a Captain with the 11th ABN in Korea. If I still had the other ones I would have sent the sterling ones to you. Try estate sales. Many older troops are passing and folks don't know much about the military stuff. One thing I got for cheap was an oval background with the wings embroidered right on them. Not metal ones but made with thread. I saw them on E-Bay for $65 but they didn't sell. I once found a story about 2 thieves ripping apart a Purple Heart for the gold looking head thinking it was gold. No respect there.

[ffuries]

Seeing how the Machine Gun bar is silver and un-marked I would venture a guess of pre-Korean era, during Korea the US Goverment started having stuff marked showing that it was Government approved. Now for the award itself (clutch-back style, which came out late WWII, but was really seen during the post WWII era), again un-marked (un-known manufacturer) not marked as silver, not marked 1/20 silver filled which started in the 60's. So if the award itself is silver it is most likely late WWII to early Korea era. If it's not silver at all, then it's would be post 60's era. Can't remember the date that items quit being silver-filled.

Note an item could have been made in say the 40's and sat on the shelf in the system until sold in lets say the 60's or later.

Mike
USAF Retired