Welcome
Our selections include, but are not limited to, helmets and other
headgear, uniforms, edged weapons, medals, documents, flags and
cloth items, field gear and ephemera. We deal with all levels of
collectors from the beginner to the advanced; so our items range
from common to rare. We offer a money back, no hassle
authenticity guarantee because we deal strictly in pre-1945
manufactured Militaria.
The
Origin of "The Ruptured Duck" Insignia
The original Ruptured Duck was a cloth insignia depicting an
eagle inside a wreath. It was worn on uniforms above the right
breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women.
It was issued to service personnel who were about to leave the
military with an Honorable Discharge. It also allowed them to
continue to wear their uniform for up to thirty days after they
were discharged since there was a clothing shortage at that time.
This showed the MP's that they were in transit and not AWOL.
Well, the boys thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and,
because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was,
"They took off like a Ruptured Duck"...hence the
nickname.
My father served in the Navy during WWII aboard the aircraft
carrier Shangri-La. We have his "Ruptured Duck". What
better way to appeal to the nostalgia of that period in our
history?