EMBROIDERED BULLION “SHELL AND FLAME / GRENADE” INSIGNIA

$250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 160-615

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Call 717-334-0347,
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This is a good example of an embroidered bullion “flaming bomb,” “shell and flame” or “exploding grenade” insignia that shows some roughness to the edges indicating it was actually on a uniform at some point and likely salvaged by a relative or descendant of the soldier. This is nicely constructed of bullion coils and sequins embroidered on a dark blue cloth with a web underlay. The embroidery forms a round shell or grenade at bottom, with flames issuing from the top and fanning out to the sides.

The motif goes as far back as far as the early 1700s as the insignia of grenadiers, troops tasked with the throwing of lit, hand-held grenades, something requiring a good deal of daring, not least because it would be close-up work, and because of those associations it was adopted by less elite troops over time. In the U.S. Army it became the standard device worn on the tails of officer’s coats in 1832 and in the militia shows up there and occasionally as collar insignia, likely in companies styling themselves as grenadiers. Starting about 1851, however, in the regular army it became the specific branch of service insignia for the Ordnance Department, and shows up on the headgear of staff officers tasked with that duty in the field, though it continued in general use in the militia for many years after.

This has good color to the bullion and the fabric, and preserves its paper backing as well, showing a few stains or glue spots and a collector’s inventory number on a small piece of applied tape.  [sr][ph:L]

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