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ARTIFACT:
What we have here is an incredible example of the Rare and Iconic "Poland Unchained" Poland Air Force in Exile Pilot badge from WWII.
Once set up in England, Polish Combat Pilots who had earned there brevet prior to the German Invasion were known to have had Pilot Badges cast in silver from original Knedler examples, and broke off the loops at top to NOT wear the suspension chain, being "Unchained" from the chains their homeland was now in, under German Occupation.
True examples of these badges are rare enough, but here we have a biographical example.
Unprofessionally, but nicely, with a slight deco flair, Engraved on back is:
Z. L. ZEYFERT
17.III.43
This badge belonged to Flight Officer Zdzislaw Ludwik Zeyfert, Son of Flight Lieutenant Zdzislaw Ludwik Zeyfert P-2334, BOTH members of 304 Squadron RAF.
More information about each man, along with images of them individually, and together, courtesy of the Imperial War Museum:
F/Lt Zeyfert was born in Wilno (Vilnius) and served as a pilot since 1918 with the Polish Air Force attached to the Blue Army in France during the First World War. He worked in the Polish Air Lines since 1929 and was Director of the Operations Department in the company. Mobilized in August 1939, he moved to Romania with the Polish air Force at the end of September 1939 and escaped from there with his son (F/O Z. L. Zeyfert, also of No. 304 Bomber Squadron) through Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy to France. From September 1940 F/Lt Zeyfert worked as an assistant instructor training PAF navigators in the RAF. He passed his navigational training in Britain for special astro and transatlantic ferry courses in Canada.
F/O Zeyfert was born in Wilno (Vilnius). Mobilized in August 1939, he moved to Romania with the Polish Air Force at the end of September 1939 and escaped from there with his father (F/Lt L. Zeyfert, also of No. 304 Bomber Squadron) through Yugoslavia, Greece and Italy to France.
The badge we have to offer is definitely that of the younger Zeyfert, as he was copilot of the Aircraft in 304 Squadron that both he AND his father flew in, and although his father had been a pilot since 1918, he was now operating in the capacity of Navigator.
The image of the father alone shows his Navigator Badge, while the image of the Father and Son together show the younger Zeyfert wearing a pilot badge; quite possibly, and most likely, the same badge we are offering here.
VINTAGE:
World War II.
SIZE:
Approximately 1-1/2" in height x 2-1/2" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Bialy Metal: Nickel/Tombak/White metal.
ATTACHMENT:
Single screw post with backing,
MARKINGS:
Z. L. ZEYFERT
17.III.43
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a Polish militaria collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MGEV18 LBBGEX02/16/23 SBBGEX08/31/24
CONDITION:
7 (Very Fine): The badge shows moderate to heavy patina.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
