Originally designed in 1943, the "gold spearhead on black field" insignia was intended by General William "Wild Bill" Donovan to serve as the primary identifier for the Office of Strategic Services, America's premier "dirty tricks" outfit and spiritual and literal forefather to many parts of the modern American intelligence/clandestine warfare community. Jumping the gun and ordering shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) and collar devices through a private contract before the insignia was confirmed by higher command, Donovan was left holding the bag when he was told "no" by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The SSI are believed to have been filed away at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, where some appear to have been liberated by sticky-fingered Depot staff before the entire lot was caught up in a post-WWII purge of obsolete insignia. Some of the collar devices are believed to have made it overseas, where some were reported used by OSS and SHAEF soldiers involved in psychological warfare operations in Great Britain. The largest patch is fully embroidered, 2 1/4" wide and 3 1/4" long, and the smaller patch is gold bullion wire on a felt square 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" long. Both pins are in "officer" style with black enamel fields around the gilt brass spearheads, similar in dimensions to the small patch, one with a screw back marked "ROBBINS & CO", the other pin back (two pins, one retainer absent) with no markings. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Excellent overall, with mild wear and handling marks.