branch distinction

References Although not fully detailed in the United States Lines chart, epaulets – or shoulder boards – followed the same design. Of interest is the fact that USL shoulder boards did not use the same button as the uniform coat. Shoulder board, Royal South African Navy Col.: Anon

Insignia Houses

Where have all the insignia manufacturers of the American Merchant Marine managing operators gone? Long passed are the days of enamel flags on high-pressure caps, and so too is true for their makers. Through complex mergers and acquisitions, tools that once struck these diminutive flags found their way to the scrap heap or in the […]

NOMMP not USSB

Sadly, it seems whenever a collector of maritime uniform insignia comes across a Federal-style shield with three white stars, automatically the assumption is the insignia comes from the United States Shiping Board (USSB). Not so. These cap badges are the official insignia of the National Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots (NOMMP). This group was […]

U.S. Maritime Service Chief Petty Officer

  U.S. Maritime Commission Cadre /U.S. Maritime Service Chief Petty Office cap badge (Type 1)One piece construction.  Seal, 25mm diameter; Anchor, 50mm length.Obscured AE CO N.Y. hallmark (American Emblem Company)Anchor and device stamped brass; blue enamel band and red, white & blue shield.Early Second World War era; 1942. This is the first design of the […]

U.S. Navy Technician

USN Technician hat badge & miniature device. Cast brass; motto: U.S. TECHNICIAN. 1 screw, 1 non-rotating point. 37mm x 48mm (LxH). manu: Officer’s Equipment Co. Madison, NJ. mini device: 15mm x 19mm. Circa 1950. Joseph Tonelli’s book, Visor hats of the United States Armed Forces: 1930-1950 illustrates one of the most exquisite pieces of headgear worn by […]

U.S. Navy commissioned officer

U.S. Navy commissioned officer hat badge, pre-1941, U.S. Navy commissioned officer cap badge, pre-May 1941 Two piece construction; 65mm (l) x 55mm (h). H & H (Hilborn & Hamburg) hallmark on eagle wing. Viking hallmark on the anchor. Eagle and shield sterling (marked); anchor gold-filled (1/10 14K GF). Circa pre-Second World War era; late 1930s. […]

American-Hawaiian Steamship Company

Faint H & H (Hilborn & Hamburg) hallmark on eagle wing.Gemsco hallmark on flag.Eagle and shield sterling plate over copper; wreath brass/gold-plate.Second World War era. badge: 60mm x 65mm flag: 25mm x 22mm As follows is an essay on the history of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company. Collecting the data on this specific company is somewhat […]