Help needed with skull DI

[Eric Queen]

My friend picked up a bunch of old DI's the other day, and this was amonst them. It seems to me to be Korean war period.
Probably unauthorized and Asian ( Korean or Japanese ) made.
I think it is from the 32nd Infantry, the "Buccaneers" who had a skull/crossbones insignia. Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

Eric

[VerKuilen Ager]

Doesn't appear to be the 32nd (white skull and bones on blue disc). I'll do some more checking, but it may be for a Korean unit.

[Eric Queen]

Thank you that would be much appreciated. Do you happen to have a photo of the 32nd di ? Could this be a "variation" disc or even a sub unit disc?

Thanks again,

Eric

[Eric Queen]

OK, does anyone know of a forum similar to ours whose main focus is US military insignia? If so please let me know.

Thanks,

Eric

[VerKuilen Ager]

While the 32nd is listed in the ASMIC charge list, the d.i. is not shown or listed in the Infantry catalog, so I can't compare the design. However, because it isn't in the catalog, it suggests that Massaro (former C.O. of the Army Institute of Heraldry and author of the Infantry catalog) didn't deem it more than a souvenir item. I've checked the M.P. catalog (the most likely possible indication of the green surround) but no luck there either. All in all, there's still a strong likelyhood that it isn't a U.S. item. However, I'll drop Massaro a line and see what he has to say these days. It might take a while; last I knew he didn't have e-mail.

[Eric Queen]

Histraia,

Thank you very much for the time and effort you have put into looking into this for me. I guess this is probably one on those unofficial one off things where we may never be able to identify it. Sorry to bother you but can I ask you one more thing. Is there any chance you may know what this DI is, it also looks to me foreign made, and I was told this also could be an "unofficial" DI of the 32nd. With the crossed swords, it does seem to have more of a "Buccaneer" feel to it.

Thanks.

EQ

[VerKuilen Ager]

This new one most closely resembles the "calling card" emblem of Carlson's 2nd Marine Raiders. The red and brass/gold would be consistent. However, I've never heard of any metal equivalent of this insignia and would be very dubious about it. How about a picture of the reverse?

[Eric Queen]

Here is the back, pretty crude but I guess that is what one would expect. Does anyone know are they reproducing badges that look like this? I have never seen anything like it.

Thanks !!



By the way, I found the insignia which I originaly posted in the
April/June 180 ASMIC magazine ( pg.44/U-37 ). But unfortunately, all it says is "asian made" and "unidentified"

[Eric Queen]

So Histaria,

I post this asking for opinions, you say its "dubious" and ask me to post a pic of the back, I do and ask what you think, no response here but you run over and place a bid on it.

OK, I see the way it is......

EQ

[VerKuilen Ager]

Eric,
I stick to my prior statement that its "dubious" that it's connected to Carlson's Raiders. In fact, I'll upgrade that to "highly unlikely" now that I've seen the dimensions. In fact, had that information been provided before, we could have eliminated this as a U.S. distinctive insignia right away.

How could I "run over and place a bid on it" when there's been absolutely no reference here to its being for sale? While, from time to time, you'll see other folks drop those "if you ever want to sell that" hints, I've tried to be careful to abide by the proper etiquette of the forum and not twist anybody's arm about obtaining either of the pieces shown. However, that doesn't mean they aren't of interest. If I coincidentally stumbled across a similar item in an auction am I supposed to come back here and get somebody's permission to place my hat in the ring? Especially when nobody seems to have any interest in the thing because it's got zero bids? If you felt you had some proprietary claim to the item why didn't your friend hand it over? Failing that, why didn't you place a bid?

I apologize if you or anyone else who have followed this thread feel there has been an impropriety. You may be assured that, should you have future inquiries about American d.i.s, I'll play it safe and keep my reference sources and opinions to myself.

VerKuilen

[Eric Queen]

Listen, I am not going to make a big deal out of this, because it certainly isn't one. All I am saying is, in hopes of avoiding any misunderstandings, I may have proceeded differently.

First let's just clarify a couple of things.

1. Do I have some type of proprietary claim to the piece? Absolutely not.

2. Did I expect you to ask my permission before bidding on it?
Again, of course not. But I did expect that you would offer your opinion of the piece here after you had asked me to post a picture of the reverse and I had gone to the trouble to get it from the vendor of the piece.

3. The seller of the piece is not my friend. I have no idea who he is. I said in this thread that the owner of the first piece I posted is a friend of mine.

4. Why didn't I bid on the piece? Because I was waiting for your opinion and thoughts on the piece, because obviously I value them.

Again, no big deal. But just a little friendly advice to avoid misunderstandings. Just imagine if someone posted a para badge they wanted my opinion on. I say it looks dubious and can they post a picture of the reverse. They do, but I dont offer any comment after that, find the piece on an internet auction, and bid on it.

The person who asked for my help might think, hmmmm............

That's all I am saying. Have a good one.

Eric