any ideas?

[John Macrini]

Just picked this up. any ideas about it? I havent the first clue about this one.

[John Macrini]

back

sorry about the poor quality of the photo's i had to take the pictures with my phone.

[Johnny R]

This is a Pre-WWII patch for the 45th Infantry Division (US Army). They stopped using it in the 1930s when Hitler came into power and it was officially changed to a Thunderbird in 1939.

[Lenny W]

This is a Pre-WWII patch for the 45th Infantry Division (US Army). They stopped using it in the 1930s when Hitler came into power and it was officially changed to a Thunderbird in 1939.

are you sure about that i think that early patch was red with a yellow swastika and i dont think it was a diamond shape ?

[themilitaryman]

check this out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_In...(United_States)

[Lenny W]

your right John it was a diamond maybe a variant ? of the early patch here is a pic of the early patch

[Johnny R]

They were wearing this since 1920, there are many red variations. I would guess the one shown is from the early 30's or late 20's. I used to collect US a long long time ago.

[John Macrini]

hmm. Thats pretty cool i guess. I had no idea that the U.S. had ever employed a swastika as a regimental emblem. I was hoping that it was Genuine and German, I would have least expected it to be American military insignia...... oh well maybe next time right?

One more question if you please fellas.... Are insignia of this type uncommon?

[billbert]

Swastika was a good luck sign before ww2 in many lands...Billbert

[Johnny R]

They were a SW US unit and choose this symbol to honor the Native Americans of the area. Once the clowns in Bavaria started using it they adapted the Thunderbird also paying tribute to the SW Tribes.

[Lenny W]

They were a SW US unit and choose this symbol to honor the Native Americans of the area. Once the clowns in Bavaria started using it they adapted the Thunderbird also paying tribute to the SW Tribes.

i still have one of these early patches it in a museum now great find mackadoo hard to find early patch

[John Macrini]

well...

Well at least I had someone tell me it was a great find this time! so far, everytime I think that I have found something good it turns out to be fake or something, This time is really no different, but at least its genuine and one person told me great find! rather than no good, or fantasy piece, or replica.... yadda yadda yaaa...

oh well,,,I'm gonna stick with it and maybe, just maybe one day, one of these estate sales or curio shops will yeild something good for me!!!!

Thanks for the help once again fellas!

[Johnny R]

I find really really nice German stuff about once a year and I stop at every auction, sale, antique mall etc. I see or hear about. 99% of the time "nazi items" listed in the paper or craigslist etc are junk. You just need to keep looking. It is still around.