SAS Tropical Wings 1950's legit or repro?

[phillock]

Hi Team

 

I posted this on BBF to find out if this is a legit SAS Tropical wing.

 

I inadvertantly started this under the below thread,Tonomachi and Kia Kaha have kindly responded see the link below.

 

Below is from Kia Kaha 

 

"These wings were worn on number 3 dress the white tropical dress tunic worn in Hong Kong, Malaysia and possibly the Middle East/Near by ex S.A.S. Pers within the British Army. As the S.A.S. Regiment was not posted on strength to these areas at the time. usually a two year  permanent posting. The Regiment didn’t get issued this uniform so serving troopers on deployments would only have the cloth wing, if worn.
these brass or white metal skill at arms badges were designed to be removable from the uniform to be polished, and so the uniform could be laundered. Worn in the late 60s and 70s. This style of dress uniform was discontinued in the mid 70s? And most of these badges were sold through disposal stores. "

 

I am unsure if my one is legitimate or a reproduction as these have been remade.

 

Would like to hear opinions 

 

cheers

 

Phill

 

 

 

[Tonomachi]

There is a thread (see link below) on the British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum that shows three variants (Brass, Gilding Metal & Anodized) of what is believed to be original examples.  Your example matches the brass one which is why I felt it was original.  I'm not sure if you will be able to see the images on this other thread unless you join and log into their system.   If not I can always add the images to this thread.

 

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73257&highlight=Metal+Wing

 

 

[phillock]

Thanks Tonomachi

 

I did come across that thread but thought my lugs were resolded so asumed my one was a repro.

 

The  reverse does have similarity with mine but when your dealing with British "lugs" , there is a general consensus of what to look for ie Round, D, split pin certain type of soldering etc....

 

Really appreciate  your opinion and observations on both sides of the pond cloth and metal badges. 

 

British (and commonwealth ) metal insignia has always been a hard nut to crack for me and I'm a kiwi!!!

 

 

cheers mate

 

Phill

 

[Kia kaha]

Here’s a white metal wing, unfortunately it is mounted behind glass so ant get to the back. Got it from a warrant officer in the South African Defence Force. Ex 22 S.A.S. And a true professional. He had them framed and hung in his bar late 1970s.

his other wings.

No 3 Dress tunic 

a lightweight tunic all the buttons and badges are removable so you can launder, and yes you need to clean, bleach and iron this bugger after every time you touch it.

[phillock]

Thanks for showing Kia Kaha

 

Excellent provenance.

 

Going by an updated thread on BBF there ia authorized c 1956 Brass and gilded metal and another individual has added anodised allumium.

 

So for a badge that was authorized in at least 2 metals and seldomly worn there seems to be  a few variations.

 

I like how you added the Dess as I get confused with all the dress styles of NZ Army let alone the Brits.

 

cheers

 

Phill

[Kia kaha]

2 hours ago, phillock said:

Thanks for showing Kia Kaha

 

Excellent provenance.

 

Going by an updated thread on BBF there ia authorized c 1956 Brass and gilded metal and another individual has added anodised allumium.

 

So for a badge that was authorized in at least 2 metals and seldomly worn there seems to be  a few variations.

 

I like how you added the Dess as I get confused with all the dress styles of NZ Army let alone the Brits.

 

cheers

 

Phill

No 3. Dress is British In origin, the kiwis used the same/ similarly order of dress back in the day up-to about 1980. The only unit that wore no 3 was the 1 RNZIR Band while in Singapore.

 I had all the tropical wings once (SAS, Lightbulbs, and Para) except the SAS in anodised aluminium that is a rare bird and not faked. 
the variations depend on what metal the units buttons are made of, if brass coloured buttons then brass wings, if silver buttons = white metal wings  black buttons bronze wings.

cheers

[phillock]

Thanks Kia Kaha

 

Lots of good info on the use of the metal coloured wings , which matched the buttons.

 

If you have images of your tropical wings please set up a new thread , that will be of interest to collectors , especially with your knowledge and background.

 

cheers

 

Phill