Australian Flying Corps Shoulder Patch

[stevedrew]

Forum,

I have been searching for an Australian Flying Corps shoulder patch for some time. Would any here know...

Where I should look?
How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in Advance

[Jim]

If you are looking for a real one the best place would be to track down families who had a relative who served and see if they had the man's original uniform and would be willing to sell. Without such provenance, the odds of being sold a nice done reproduction are very high even if you deal with a reputable dealer since reproduction WW I aero insignia these days have become so well done that they fool experts.

[stevedrew]

I have placed an order through I S Wrights, a militaria, coin and banknote dealer here in Australia, but they haven't had any luck. I got an original cloth set of RFC pilot's wings, and a cloth set of AFC pilot's wings from them some years ago, so I'm hopeful.

I have started a thread here looking for a complete AFC pilot's uniform for a friend, but I'd never "desecrate" the uniform if I got a hold of one by removing the shoulder patches. Obviously, they add greatly to the authenticity and value of such an item.

[Jim]

Yes, I agree that if one found them on a uniform it would be a horrible thing to cut them off. What I was suggesting is buying a preserving the uniform, or if the family had already cut them off. Provenance is everything these days in WW I aviation insignia - there are so many professionally done forgeries that even experienced and reputable dealers and long time collectors are often fooled by them.