First Special Service Forces Officer’s Emblems
The FSSF was in a hurry to get their insignia and Gen. Frederick had Baldwin (supply) order them before official OQMG drawings were produced to guide manufacture. Therefore, the first two types of officers’ collar insignia were of the 18 feather per arrow design. The official OQMG drawing depicts the Type 3 insignia with 14 feathers. Evidence indicates that the Type 3 crossed arrows collar emblems were never worn overseas by the 1st Special Service Force. The Type 3 14 feather pattern was produced, probably by NS Meyer even if unmarked, and the Force was wearing the 14 feather arrows circa 1945/46 as were the officers of the 474th.
Sometime in the 1950’s, prior to the adoption of the Special Forces ‘harp’ emblem we know today, the 10th Special Forces Group sought to have authorization to wear the gold crossed arrows collar insignia. Photographic evidence of early 10th SFG Officer’s shows the crossed arrows in wear in the US and Germany in the 1950's predating the Special Forces crest.
This pair is 1945/46 type 3 original FSSF officer’s arrows are correctly as made pinbacks not the usually seen clutchbacks. Early 3rd pattern variation or special order, not altered. They are correct for a late war or Occupation era FSSF officer or for an early 10th Special Forces officer.
$300.00 SOLD
(The excellent input from two respected collectors greatly aided in putting this info together!)