All pins are in relative scale.
All pins are in relative scale.
Top row:
11 - 1 year. Blue enamel on sterling.
12 - 1 year. Black enamel on gold.
13 - ? year. Copper/bronze finish. Probably a promo pin rather than a service pin.
14 - 3 year. Black enamel on gold with green stone.
15 - 3 year. Blue enamel on sterling, numeral "3".
16 - 5 year. Black enamel on gold with red stone.
17 - 5 year. Black enamel on gold, numeral "5".
Second row:
21 - 10 year - black enamel on white and yellow gold with white stone.
22 - 15 year - black enamel on yellow gold with red stones.
23 - 15 year - black enamel on white gold with white stones.
24 - 15 year - black enamel on white gold with blue stones.
25 - 20 year - black enamel on white gold with white stones.
26 - 25 year - black enamel on white gold with white stones. Awarded to Russ Buller, 1965.
Third row:
31 - 10 year. Alternate style 10 year pin (see #21 above).
32 - Unknown. Note the eagle is flying in opposite direction. Symbol on wing is a "K" in circle. Could have been one piece of a pair of collar insignia, but while I've seen quite a few of these, I've never seen a partner. Also could have been intended to wear on the left pocket. 33 - Certified Service Representative. The two stars might indicate years of service or grade/experience.
34 - Past Member, Safety Committee, Los Angeles.
35 - Large pewter-like logo pin with very dark translucent blue enamel. These pins are of recent manufacture (Taiwan) and can be found at most airshows, many swapmeets, or online.
36 - Small one year or promo/logo pin. Silver-colored base metal.
Fourth row:
41 - Small one year or promo/logo pin. Copper-colored base metal.
42 - Small one year or promo/logo pin. Sterling with copper-colored toning, blue enamel.
43 - Small one year or promo/logo pin. Gold wash finish.
I have confirmation that the 3 year green jewelled style pin (#14 above) was awarded as early as 1951 (source is a NAA employee who hired in in 1948). I assume this means that the 5 year red jewelled pin (#16) would have been awarded around the same time (ie, to employees with a service date of 1946 or later).
I believe the jewel-less 3 and 5 year pins to be earlier than the jewelled pins, but I can't be certain. Note that the numeral 5 year pin (#17) is very similar in design to the jewelled 3 and 5 year pins. However, the numeral 5 year pins always just seem to be older than the jewelled style (a reach, I know). Also, the numeral 5 year pins are invariably 10K, while the jewelled 5 year pins are 1/10 10K gold fill.
North American Aviation 25 year service anniversary dinner booklet.
A set of pins awarded to W. J. Bendig. Mr. Bendig started with NAA in 1953. Upon the creation of Autonetics, he moved to that division in 1963 or '64. He retired in 1976.
