Scarce W.W.I. Gilt French Air Service Sweetheart Brooch (Chris Balm Early Aviation & Motoring Items)

Scarce W.W.I. Gilt French Air Service Sweetheart Brooch

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Scarce W.W.I. Gilt French Air Service Sweetheart Brooch

Scarce W.W.I. Gilt French Air Service Sweetheart Brooch (Detail)

Scarce, W.W.I. period, gilt brass, French Air Service sweetheart brooch. Dating from around 1915. These brooches were known as "sweethearts" as they were purchased by airmen to give to their loved ones.

This attractive brooch is made in the form of the French Air Service pilot's sleeve badge and is mounted on a it's original steel pin. Good condition (slight wear to gilding). Width : 45mm. Comes with a period jeweller's box.

The French Air Service (known as Aéronautique Militaire) was formed in October 1910 and by the start of W.W.I. it had 132 aircraft consisting of Farman MF7s, Farman HF-20s and Bleriot Mk.XIs. By April 1917, the Aéronautique Militaire operated 2,870 aircraft comprising 60 fighter squadrons, 20 bomber squadrons and 400 observation planes. By time of the Armistice this had increased to 3,222 aircraft and 127,630 men.

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