Flying heart pin (Air Force?)

[dgenevieve]

My sister and brother-in-law dug this up from their garden!!

Larger images here.

Those dingy spots are dirt, not rust, though it's much cleaner now than when they dug it up! Isn't the pearl heart gorgeous?

My best guess is that it's some kind of "sweetheart" pin for a girl with a beau in the Air Force. Looks like pilot wings, with an old-fashioned airplane propeller in the middle.

It doesn't seem old enough to be from the 40s/WWII, though I don't have the foggiest clue what decade it could be from! Though... it is sterling silver so it would fare better than a baser metal.

Any thoughts...?

[huh]

 

[Mike K.]

You are absolutely correct. It is a sweetheart pin and it does, in fact, date to WWII. I happen to own one that is almost identical that is a locket (which yours looks to be also). Sweetheart pins, lockets, pillows, hankies and other trinkets were commonly given as gifts by airmen to their girlfriends, mothers, sisters, etc. That winged prop on your pin dates to the era of the U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Army Air Forces (i.e. before the separation of the Air Force as a distinct service branch in 1947). The monetary value of such items varies considerably. Your pin looks to be in outstanding condition. I'm not sure that I would even want to polish it up. Try to track down the history of who was living where it was found, and you might end up with a very interesting story. Perhaps the garden where it was found used to be the same spot where a "victory garden" was once located.

Great find!! :eusa_clap

 

[FinalVestige79]

Well...the insignia part is WWII, used for the US Army Air Corp, the finish doesn't make it look as old as it should be. The mother of pearl base is very common and very nice. I would definitely say its WWII. I have a few with the same look..but no gal to give them too lol.

By the way welcome to the lounge!! I think there are a couple sweetheart jewelry threads in here, your post might be moved to there. Again, welcome and have fun!

 

[dgenevieve]

Thanks, boys!

It doesn't seem to be a locket... Can't find any hinges! I'm assuming the two bumps on the back are somehow holding the pearl heart to the silver back?

I really love sweetheart and mizpah jewelry, though I usually collect Navy pieces. It will have a very good home with me, not looking to sell it anytime soon.

I love the thought that it fell into a victory garden. Probably won't try polishing it, though I wish I could get more of the dirt off!

 

[FinalVestige79]

Yeah the 2 bumps are something like spot welds, one for the insignia one for the mother of pearl base. I would suggest taking a soft bristle toothbrush and some warm water to get the dirt off. You found a real treasure! Congrats!

 

[chanteuseCarey]

I think its especially wonderful that it was buried in a garden, there may be a story behind that... This sure is a lovely piece! Like GG said, do post about it in the Sweetheart Jewelry thread.

My sister and brother-in-law dug this up from their garden!!

Larger images here.

Those dingy spots are dirt, not rust, though it's much cleaner now than when they dug it up! Isn't the pearl heart gorgeous?

My best guess is that it's some kind of "sweetheart" pin for a girl with a beau in the Air Force. Looks like pilot wings, with an old-fashioned airplane propeller in the middle.

It doesn't seem old enough to be from the 40s/WWII, though I don't have the foggiest clue what decade it could be from! Though... it is sterling silver so it would fare better than a baser metal.

Any thoughts...?

[huh]

 

[dgenevieve]

I think its especially wonderful that it was buried in a garden, there may be a story behind that... This sure is a lovely piece! Like GG said, do post about it in the Sweetheart Jewelry thread.

Thanks! I found the thread and posted about it there, too.