Unknown Metal Pin

[MichaelB]

Here's a stumper. A friend of mine called me aside recently and knowing I fancy toy airplanes, presented me with a small pin with the shape of a P-61. It really wasn't a discussion of value that ensued, as we were both confident it only has curiosity value.
It's a pretty good representation of a P-61, in light alloy finished in black. As you can see it has a pretty good level of detail - especially considering it's size. Underneath is a pin for attachment to a tie or lapel.
So...is there anyone who might have specific information on this piece? The insignia isn't a decal, but looks printed or painted, although I don't think this piece is a recent tampo issue. The material is all light alloy...no iron involved - even in the pin.
Cute little thing; looks vintage; thought it might be associated with a P-61 group, or mission or something.
Hard to photograph - looks better in real life.
Michael

[grwebster]

Nice object.
One day well down the road someone will come across some studs and cuff links I had made from an Comet 1/432nd airplane for formal dress.
As they were made by the Harry Winston jewelry firm of NY they are in solid platinum.
Should you wonder how this came about, I will add that Harry Winston's son Ron went to high school with me, collects airplane models, and remains a friend.
He supervised the making and even had a set made for him, too!
I really should get them out and make some photos.

[MichaelB]

Sounds like fun! Yes, I'd like to see them! Small airplanes models that have been converted into earrings, label studs, brooches, cuff links and similar regularly slide across my desk. They are usually the object of the individual who will wear them - especially if she is married to a modeler who is also an aviator! Certainly your cuff links are a far step from that!
Happily, there are a wide variety of items that one can currently purchase for those in need of aviation jewelry; just search pewter airplane and Ebay, or look in the back of Air Classics.
Best one I ever had was a vintage DC-3 silver pin. As y'all know about me: If it's a DC-3, anything goes!

[chrsn]

Funny you should bring pins up, Michael. I recently acquired a B-25 Mitchell pin that looks vintage. I did a little research and found a nearly identical pin on a militaria dealer's website that said it was a B-25 qualification pin. However, the dealer's pin was sterling (mine is not) and his pin had a better clasp. Otherwise, they were identical. Some of the imprints on the back are so tiny I cannot read them.

[MichaelB]

Very good...that looks very similar to mine. However, mine doesn't have any printing anywhere on it. What is the size of yours? Mine is about 3/4".

[chrsn]

The B-25's wingspan is exactly 1 inch. The pin has sort of a brass-looking finish, but the militaria dealer's pin was grey. The pin says "Bastian" on the back, which I assume is Bastian Brothers jewelry, who made wings & pins during WWII. I am not sure what the emblems on each wing on the bottom side are, but I believe the left one is a union stamp. The right emblem is just impossible for me to make out, since the markings are so tiny.

[MichaelB]

The basic casting process is the same..a flat mold. The pins are completely different - yours looks much larger and thicker. Again, on mine, no steel and no printing.