This current issue set of Full Colonel insignia that has been made in the US Military tradition of the War Eagles. These are called War Eagles because the head of the eagle is facing the arrows. Official Colonel insignia the head of the eagle faces the olive branch. You are purchasing a set of two in the uniform size (1 1/2 inches) and made in sterling silver. These unofficial Eagles could be worn on todays uniform, you have too look very closely to see that they are non-regulation, but after all we are at war. Just don’t wear them for any official uniform picture.

History note:

Before 1926 Eagles were made with the head facing the arrows or facing the laurel branch, no standard existed.  In 1926, the insignia was made in pairs with the head of the eagle facing to the front when worn. This was the first reference to the insignia being made in pairs. To do this, the eagle’s head was reversed on one insignia – the insignia worn on the right shoulder had the eagle’s head facing the laurel branch. On the left shoulder, the eagle’s head faced the arrows. The insignia with the eagle’s head facing the arrow became known by the term "war eagle".In 1951, the insignia was redesigned so that the eagle’s head faced the laurel branch on both the left and right shoulder insignia with the arrows to the rear on both insignia. During WWII a number of manufacturers made the insignia with both Eagles having the arrows facing forward. This is how we have made these. These Eagles are perfect for the reenactor or the O-6 of today (but don’t wear these for your official photo).