Naval Officer Badges Appraisal

United States Surface Warfare Insignia (Officer)

This item is a gold-tone United States Surface Warfare Insignia, traditionally known as 'Surface Warfare Pins.' The insignia features the bow of a modern warship centered on a shield, flanked by two crossed cutlasses and superimposed on stylized ocean waves. It is constructed from a gold-plated base metal, likely brass or a similar alloy, with a polished finish. The pins on the reverse side are equipped with standard clutch-back fasteners (frogs), as seen by the visible circular pins on either side. Notable markings are visible on the reverse side of the shield, which likely denote the manufacturer and a hallmark code (potentially a 'V-21' or similar alphanumeric designation), indicating it was produced by an authorized military contractor. The piece appears to be in good used condition with some minor tarnish and surface wear visible on the left-hand side, showing a slight darkening of the gold finish. This specific design was officially approved for use by the U.S. Navy in 1975 for officers who have qualified as Surface Warfare Officers. The crispness of the casting suggests high-quality military-grade manufacturing intended for uniform wear on the Service Khaki or Full Dress White uniforms.