Bulgaria, Kingdom. A Rare First War Pilot Badge, c.1917 Auction Archive 50 (in bronze gilt

50 (in bronze gilt

Completing the dagger is a finely-engraved Austro-Hungarian imperial crown

Lieutenant Pinguet of the Canadian Fencibles later related "All our men fired from thirty-five to forty rounds so well aimed that the prisoners told us next day that every shot seem to pass at about the height of a man's breast or head

the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered multi-coloured RAD emblem

badge measures 42mm (x63mm including crown suspension)

Bulgaria, Kingdom. A Rare First War Pilot Badge, c.1917 Auction Archive 50 (in bronze giltIn silver and silver gilt, a rare, German made Pilots badge, comprising a central gilt bird with outstretched wings, surmounted by a Princely crown and rampant lion in shield below, the reverse offers a flat pin and C catch, the reverse with a sunburst pattern, measures 44. 4 mm (w) x 75. 3 mm (h), unmarked but likely of Carl Dillenius manufacture, a hollow badge with light gilt wear, remains in extremely fine condition.