Crusher Eagle

[Anonymous]

Whilst I'm waiting for my Diamond Dave crusher to arrive from Andrew, I got to wondering about the guilt eagle badge on the front.

Were they all the same size ? I vaguely recall seeing some on Ebay that were smaller. Were they issue or were they made for the private-purchase crushers ?

Someone else on here mentioned that the ELC eagles were very big. Incomparison to what I'm wondering ?

Sometimes there's also a mention of a rear strap to the crusher. Is that the same as the front strap and a spare (why ?) or was it an officially sanctioned thing ? And if so, what was behind it ?

Oh and which receivers would be most pukka to place over the crusher ?

Don't want much do I ?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[horseback leader]

Dave,

There are a bunch of different eagle sizes and styles. I have ones made by JR Gaunt, (England) Luxenberg (England), Wolf (England) Luxenberg (New York, lesser quality than English version) , NS Meyer (New York), Amico as well. While keeping to a similar style and basic design, they each bring their differences, much like different A2 makers. Most wartime wings have the wings shaped in a V (perhaps for Victory?) rather than the curvy style of the wings that solely exist presently. The English brands are amazing quality, with fine details. Expect to pay a fair amount for them, often over $50 USD. All the English wartime cap devices I have are fairly small, usually extending only a bit into the braid, about 2-2 1/4" long at most.

The rear strap is something some makers offered and is sometimes called a Cavalry strap. It's existence is so that the cap can remain seated on the wearers head and the strap can retain it's front-facing look, while using the back-strap to keep the hat from flying off while on a horse. Most service caps/visor caps (during the war) omitted these, and nearly every true crusher (not the same as a visor cap that's been crushed) avoids them entirely.

Diamond Daves crushers are terrific, by far and away not just the best on the market but equal to (inside and out) the kind made and worn during the war. Congrats on getting yours. If you can, top it off with a special cap device, it will appreciate the effort. Check out this pic of 4th Fighter Group pilots, I believe most are wearing Luxenberg cap devices, including Steve Pisanos, the pilot with the arrow pointing at him. Notice also the contrast of the braid to the cap material, something very common in England.

http://imansolas.freeservers.com/Aces/P ... asin_1.jpg

Hope this helps.

 

[CBI]

there's always someone on this site that knows way too much about these microscopic details. Amazing and of interest to me since my recent Flighter purchase form Dave. The emblem he provides looks pretty darn good so no need to rush out and look to replace it but I can understand folks keeping an eye out on the Bay for a real one.

Great knowledge here - thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks there Leader.

A very informative post for sure. :ugeek:

I am happy to say that this forum caters to all those who 'know way too much'. That's one of the reasons we like it so much. That and the characters on here !

Thanks again, don't think anyone will be able to top that response !

Dave