War Shipping Administration War Shipping Administration Ship Pilot cap badgeTwo piece construction; 60mm (l) x 55mm (h).No hallmarks.Eagle and shield gold-filled; anchors gold-filled.Circa Second World War era; 1943-45. Logistics and control of the supply chain is a perennial thorn in the side of military planners. In the interwar period, the U.S.’s sea-borne commerce was handled […]
Category: War Shipping Administration
Panama Railroad Steamship Company
White enamel swallowtail house pennant (flag), black enamel P and gold fill. No hallmark, but definitely Gemsco. The rear screw and flag style dates to it to the 1940s-50s (see below). This could either have been mounted on a wool-backing in the center of a wire and thread wreath or applied to Maritime Service-style eagle […]
American President Lines
American President Lines hat badge. Gemsco hallmark on flag. Eagle and shield sterling; wreath brass/gold-plate. House flag, enamel with gold fill. Second World War era. badge: 60mm x 65mm flag: 25mm x 22mm American President Lines was formed by the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1938 to stave off the impending bankruptcy of the Dollar […]
U.S. Naval Reserve Insignia
U.S. Naval Merchant Marine Reserve insignia. Single construction. Eagle stamped brass with gold-plate. 1939-1940. badge: 2-3/4in from tip to tip of wings. In October 1942, a curious chain of memoranda was passed between the New York State Maritime Academy Superintendent and various U.S. Navy officials. Prompted by Kings Point cadet uniforms having sewn on […]