M14 Forum

heyjowee

Just picked up this CIB and a 2" version with the same acorns on it that I have never seen before. Tried to google it, but came up with nothing. Anyone know the history of the CIB design and when the acorns were added or removed? The full sized has "GEMSCO STERLING" while the 2" has "STERLING S21" stamped on the rear.





Thanks,
Joey

EDIT:
Just found this website and will read more..
http://36thair3ad.homestead.com/CIB.html

Whatsinaname181

just looked at my ACU and Class A CIB. no acorns. Very interesting though.

The one with acorns looks really old though...

GARRARD

I would contact the Infantry Museum and see what they say.

IC2(SS)19Z50C5

I think you have a REAL KEEPER there. If only that CIB could talk. Good for you for getting hands on it!!!!.. The two inch version I would bet is probably.095 or more sterling silver...I mean just look at the patina on it!!!

sac troop

Is the wreath a separate piece from the rest?
Can you show pictures of just this CIB front/back?
I've already e-mailed someone who will probably know but I expect him to ask me more questions.

rstickle

Military badges used to have a high silver content. In 1966 when I graduated from EOD School my first EOD Badge was Sterling, after the lacquer came off it would turn almost black from the tarnish.

The seemed to make the change not to long after that (68-69?).

Whatsinaname181

hey try contacting some of the folks at the Infantry Museum at benning.

heyjowee

The historian at the infantry museum says it was originally designed in 1945 with the acorns. He did not have definite info on what happened to them, but assumes they got rid of them to reduce production costs.

So the acorn cibs are more than likely first production runs from what he gathers.

I'll snap some more pics when I get back in town.

sac troop

Here’s what I’ve heard back so far:

S21 hallmark is for Susco/Harry Sugerman Inc. manufactured post 1950.

Heres a copy of the original AR600-35 release for the CIB. It is Change 6 dated MAR 31, 1944. The design shown for the CIB has 4 acorns.




He included this note with the picture:
Checked my CIB's spanning from WW2 thru the mid 1970's. There were 27 in all and none had the acorns.

So far I’d say you have an uncommon example of the CIB. More pictures may help. They sure can’t hurt.

hammer 1

Checked mine from 89, no acorns. It looks pretty cool though.

IC2(SS)19Z50C5

heyjowee,

Can you get us a picture of the back of the CIB please??... If it has the old style clasp and rotating retainer it is very much a WWII production I’m sure. Although there has been some conjecture that clutch back fittings did start to come out late in WWII. I've read that in one of my books about Navy Badges of WWII.

I would also recommend the following:

United States Army Medals, Badges and Insignia, By Col. Frank Foster, U.S. Army Ret.

On sale now on Amazon for 29.95.

I just ordered the following from Amazon:

Marksmanship in the U.S. Army: A History of Medals, Shooting Programs, and Training By William K. Emerson.

heyjowee

Sorry for the wait guys. Here are some pics. Thanks for all the updated info too!

















You can clearly see that the rifle is actually another piece attached to it.

Michael

Interesting, got my Dad's from 506th PIR, WW2, and my own, RVN.
No acorns.