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18.1 mm
24.2 mm
3.5 grams
VELJEKSET SUNDQVIST
3/4/2002
This is a miniature pilot's badge sometimes referred to as a Pilot's Sweetheart Badge. They were private purchase pieces (not awarded by the Air Force) which pilots were able to purchase for their sweethearts or wives. It was made to be worn as a necklace. It's about 1/3 the size of a regular pilot's badge (24.2mm high including the loop and 18.1mm wide). It weighs only 3.5gm. The markings are very interesting. The maker is VELJEKSET SUNDQVIST, a company in Helsinki which just went out of business about 10 years ago. The markings below the maker's name are significant. These are called PROOF MARKINGS. The first one, 813H specifies the percentage of silver used to make the badge (in this case 81.3%). The second symbol, a crown in a heart, is the symbol of the Finnish state (although they had no monarchy). The third rectangle is a code for where the piece was produced. In this case the boat in the rectangle stands for Helsinki. The final rectangle is a code for the year of production. These pieces were manufactured from 1918 forward. In this case N6 specifies the year 1942.
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