What is this for, IRVIN pin?

[Garth Thompson]

Maybe you guys into the Airborne/Para stuff can tell me what this small pin is for. It is nicely made with a B'ham hallmark.
Garth

[Garth Thompson]

Reverse of the pin.

[Adam H]

Hi Garth,

As you may well know, the Irvin company, a manufacturer of parachutes, produced many of the parachutes used by allied pilots during WWII. They established the "Caterpillar Club" for pilots that successfully ejected and fell to safety with the help of their Irvin parachute. The caterpillar badges and membership cards are quite scarce and highly collected by airforce enthusaists...

I have never enountered a badge like you have here but my best guess is that is was possibly awarded to company employees...perhaps for long service to the company. However, this is just speculation on my part and I'm sure more specialized collectors will have a better answer for you.

Cheers,

Adam

[Tony Farrell]

It's the company badge. They're quite common in the UK. They tend to be worn by people who've used an Irivin 'chute - either in anger or otherwise. GQ have their version too. I've got one on my jacket. I'll get around to scanning it soon.

[Greeves]

I've got one as well. It was given to me after my para course in '91 by an American parachute rigger who came up to get his Canadian wings. I'll search around for it to see what the mark is on the reverse.