{"product_id":"raf-cigarette-case","title":"Vintage Manhattan RAF Royal Air Force Pilot's Wings Cigarette Case, Engine-Turned Silver-Plate, Permanently Applied Gold-Tone Badge, English Made, Damage Present","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eService history, carried in the hand.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Royal Air Force pilot's wings badge sits permanently at the centre of this engine-turned silver-plate cigarette case, its gold-tone spread eagle and crown casting standing proud of the fine diagonal crosshatch ground. Three vertical ribbed lines frame the badge on either side, giving the front face a quiet architectural rhythm that lets the insignia hold its position without competition. The badge is not a later addition: it is soldered in place, part of the object from the beginning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe insignia is the whole story here. RAF pilot's wings surmounted by a crown, the form associated with commissioned flying officers and most commonly encountered on personal objects from the WWII era and the years immediately following. Whether carried in service or given as a sweetheart gift to mark a commission or a posting, this is a piece with a weight beyond its metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMade in England by Manhattan, whose maker's cartouche is stamped to the interior tab. The interior opens to two compartments divided by a decorative pierced central spine with diamond and rectangular cut-out links. The amber interior lining is present throughout, heavily foxed and stained with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDamage is present to the exterior lid, a crack through the engine-turned surface and a second area of metal displacement, visible in the close-up photographs. Priced accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Particulars:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Manhattan, English Made, stamped to interior tab\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Cigarette case, rectangular, silver-plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExterior: Fine diagonal crosshatch engine-turning, three vertical ribbed lines, permanently applied gold-tone RAF pilot's wings badge with crown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior: Two compartments, pierced diamond and rectangular link divider spine, amber lining, heavily foxed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Damage to exterior lid: crack and metal displacement visible. Interior lining foxed. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small carried object with a much larger history behind the wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vaen’kai Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54881893417299,"sku":null,"price":186.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1085\/2771\/4643\/files\/DSC_7209.jpg?v=1788798642","url":"https:\/\/vaenkaivault.com\/products\/raf-cigarette-case","provider":"Vaen’kai Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}