Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone

c. 1939
Overview

World War Two era Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in the form of a wishbone with the traditional pilot wings attached to the front.
Due to the small size of the wings, they are not as detailed as some, but still feature a central wreath with bow at bottom and the letters 'RAF' inside, surmounted by a King's crown.
On the reverse, the maker's mark 'WBs' and the words 'Sterling Silver' are impressed onto one side of the wishbone and there is a metal pin clasp for attachment.

Historical information

This sweetheart brooch is one of many produced and sold to servicemen to give to their loved ones during wartime.
It was made by Ward Brothers (identified by their maker's mark 'WBs') who was a prominent twentieth-century British jewellery manufacturer renowned for its high-quality costume and sterling silver jewellery.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00933
Item type
Badges
Collectibles
Ephemera
Jewellery
Personal Effects
Souvenirs
Material
Metal
Silver
Width
25 mm
Height or length
25 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On front of brooch:

"RAF"

On reverse of brooch:

"WBs STERLING SILVER"

Keywords
World War Two
Sweetheart Brooch
Sweetheart Badge
Air Force
Royal Air Force (RAF)
Jewellery
Personal Items
History - Social
Place made
United Kingdom
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Friday, 19 June, 2026
Completeness
100
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone
Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone
Reverse of Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone - pin closed
Reverse of Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone - pin closed
Reverse of Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone - pin open
Reverse of Royal Air Force sterling silver sweetheart brooch in form of wishbone - pin open

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