Posted 8 years ago
BillD
(53 items)
Hi, I have this Men's 10k yellow gold ring, I believe the symbol on the front is a Military Insignia. the ring is inscribed "Mother to Robert May 31, 1943 does any one know what the insignia represents? Thanks, Bill
beautiful ring!!
The symbol is the Ordnance "Flaming Bomb".
http://www.goordnance.army.mil/73d/symbolism.html
On this page it's listed under Branch Insignia:
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=15356&CategoryId=9362&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services&ps=24&p=0
This version of the bomb I normally associate with the British Grenadier Guards.
This is NOT the US Ordnance Corps insignia as noted above.
I am not familiar with the Grenadier Guards-- but would think that the UK is a good place to start.
scott
This flaming bomb is almost exactly the same as the 1st cap & collar emblem used by the Dutch 34th SS Volunteer Granadier Division. It is a common ordnance symbols & assume this is a coincidence.
In Australia this is called a Flaming Grenade which is shared by Royal Aus Engineers and Royal Aus Artillery.
The difference being Sappers have 9 flames and Gunners have 7 flames.
This perhaps might help???
This looks like the maker's mark:
Moore & Son Jewelry Maker's Mark
Moore & Son, Inc.
Newark NJ
USA
c.1886-1934
30-34 Court St. Newark NJ
http://aju.langantiques.com/?page_id=357&pdb=8915
The flaming bomb ordnance symbol, in general, is not restricted to one particular military organization nor is it restricted to a particular country. The depiction of the flaming bomb does differ, and that can help to identify it's military origin. Finding out the name of the goldsmith/company that made the ring would also help - so far, I haven't been able to find out who MI (arrow) is...
http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=8682&page=1
http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=8682&page=1
Bonnie....See the link I posted re maker.....
@Judy - I need more coffee, lol!! Interesting that the company is listed as being active between 1886 and 1934, and this ring is inscribed 1943.
@Judy -another website connected to Google books says the company operated from 1903 to the 1950s.
The form on the ring is unfortunately well worn but:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenade_(insignia)
The mark appears to be M and an anchor for Moore and Sons.
Mum may well have bought the ring in the US for her son Robert for the event on May 31, 1943.
Originally I thought British Grenadier Guards as well. As pointed out, The Australians use a flaming grenade styled this way, as do the Canadians and countless others.
I do believe, however, that based on the New Jersey manufacture, this is more likely American. In 1936, The US Army changed it's ordnance insignia from one that looked like this, to the more stylized flame. Both versions were used for years afterward, through WWII. The link here has an array of ordinance insignia in the upper right corner, to give you an idea of how the insignia has changed over the years.
http://www.goordnance.army.mil/history/shell_flame.html
Chris
I agree with Chris that this ring was likely purchased in the states for a US soldier.
That date might also signify the day Robert returned home from the war.
Agree with Chris and Efesgirl, This is for a American Soldier, most likely Mother had this made special for Her Son and the difference is how the Flaming Bomb looks is nothing more than the Artist/Makers interpretation.