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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Torpedo Boat Pin
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Hi all,
im looking at a PT Boat pin on ebay item No 360014301099.It says in the description that it was issued in 1937 is that fair dinkum (True) as i thought that might be a bit early,i think it is a Vosper.
Also who wore these pins,were they worn by the men in the "area" or were they Sweetheart pins or just a way for Vets to proudly announce that they served on them.Slowly getting a collection together to honor my Grandfather.Cheers from OZ

Michael Hallinan

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Jan 16, 2008 - 11:39pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm

You need a vet to tell you for sure, but I don't have any photographs of my grandfather with that pin on - not his winter wool blue, tropical whites or any of the casual "whatever" uniforms of the PT Navy.

He had three of those pins in his collection - two just like that one; the other was a JFK "60" campaign version.

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 1:36am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Mike:

I have many of those pins, which were made for the PT BOAT SERVICE and could be purchased at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center. The pin is the Elco type PT Boat and were even given out to boat Crews during Commissioning Ceremonies of the Squadrons and their boats. The pins also found there way into Ships Stores and could be purchased in the US. Some folks have made these pins and are selling them as originals, so be careful. The stamp on the back marked Sterling Silver should be a nice even and clean mark. It should not be uneven or shallow cut. Numbers marked should be the same way. The pin looks ok to me, but like I do, I take it to my Jewler, who can spot a fake once it is in his hands. Marked 1937 is a bit too early for that type pin. The first of the boats were not even done until 1939-1940, and those were 70 footers. This pin is typical of the 80 foot Elco's.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 2:01am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Mike -
I purchased one of those pins in melville ship stores (1943),
gave it to my fiancee. Don't remember what it cost.
Also purchased a similar tie clip. Wore that for several
years after discharge and then lost it.

gus

Posted By: area51 | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 9:22am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The pin was usually worn on dress uniforms, both whites and blues, above the campaign ribbons. Like the cloth PT patch, the pin was not a regulation part of the uniform. Not all bear the sterling stamp, but they are still silver if you are dealing with a real WW II pin.

In recent years PT Boats, Inc. may have sold the pins, but they were never represented as the originals.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 9:35am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Thanks Fellas,
Extremely helpful again,as usual.
All the Best

Michael Hallinan

Posted By: Michael | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 2:48pm
Total Posts: 218 | Joined: Aug 6, 2007 - 7:25pm

I checked the picture on ebay. I can see some minor differences from mine. PT on the bow shows a dark background around the PT letters. Mine is all silver. The torpedo tubes appear to be slightly different. It may be from discoloration around the bands which circle the tubes in the picture. Everything else looks good-- the charthouse, gun mounts,engine room air vents, wake and the overall shape. Still, I would not be sure that it is authentic without having the pin in hand.

Posted By: QM | Posted on: Jan 17, 2008 - 6:16pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

The pins were not an authorized decoration or qualification badge so they were not to be worn on the uniform. That's not saying some guys didn't wear them.

There were two patches that were authorized, the "PT" embroidered letter patch that was worn on the lower sleeve and the later one with the torpedo with the wake lines and the letter PT that was worn on the upper left sleeve at the shoulder. The patch with the mosquito and the torpedo was not an authorized patch, but it too was worn.

A lot of the PT Officers bought PT Boat tie clips and wore those.

Charlie

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Jan 22, 2008 - 12:33pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

I bought one of these pins when at the Fargo Bldg. in Boston. I was told by the Shore Patrol to remove it because it was not regulation. I also had a white scarf which I thought looked nice with my navy blue pea coat but that had to go also.

The Submarine crews had a similiar pin which they wore. I don't know if it was regulation for them or not. The submariners also drew hazardous duty pay which was talked about for P.T crews but that never happened for us.
C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jan 22, 2008 - 5:39pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm