A Collector's Guide: The Baily Banks & Biddle US Naval Officer’s Visor Cap Eagle
- joe Tonelli
- Sep 20
- 5 min read
While renowned as one of America's oldest and most prestigious jewelers, Baily Banks & Biddle also holds a significant, though less known, place in U.S. military history as a premier manufacturer of high-quality insignia, particularly for officer visor caps.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1832, the company established itself as a purveyor of fine jewelry, silverware, and luxury goods. Its reputation for exquisite craftsmanship and use of precious materials made it a natural fit for producing the formal, regalia-based items required by the military.
During the late 19th and throughout the 20th century, U.S. military officers were required to purchase their own uniforms and insignia. Baily Banks & Biddle became a primary source for these items, catering to the officer corps' demand for the highest quality. Their production focused on all branches of service to meet the needs of the US Military officer. Today, we will focus on the US Naval Officer’s visor cap eagle.
To understand the rarity of a Baily Banks & Biddle eagle, it's important to know there are two primary types of U.S. Naval Officer's cap eagles, defined by the direction the eagle faces: the pre-1941 left-facing eagle and the post-1941 right-facing eagle. This regulatory change means right-facing eagles are considerably more common, as they have been produced since 1941 and are still in use to this day. Left-facing examples, from any manufacturer, are inherently older and rarer, making a left-facing eagle from a premier maker like B.B.&B. Co. the pinnacle for collectors.
Their insignia featured intricate two-piece construction assembled using two screw posts and nuts on the back. The eagle and shield were sterling silver over crossed fouled anchors in gold cast by "lost wax casting". These were not mere pins; they were substantial, casted emblems, and meticulously hand-assembled.
The "Crown Jewel" - A Study in Detail
Baily Banks & Biddle's most iconic contribution is arguably the U.S. Naval Officer's Cap Insignia. For decades, their version was considered the gold standard. It was distinguished by its exceptional detail, weight, and the use of a bright, sterling silver eagle set against crossed fouled anchors in 1/10 14 Karat gold fill.
The eagles themselves are notable for their distinct “Germanic” style, featuring meticulously detailed feathering and lifelike attention to the head and eye of the “bird,” as they are referred to by many collectors. The eagle surmounting the shield and anchors symbolizes the officer's service to a powerful national entity.
The shield is a direct reference to the Great Seal of the United States. The thirteen stars across the top and thirteen vertical stripes represent the original thirteen colonies. Note the sharp, crisp detailing on these elements, the high polish on the wide vertical stripes, and the intricate twisted rope border. Together, they symbolize the nation, its history, the federal government, and the authority that commissioned officers are sworn to uphold.
The fouled anchors showcase the elite manufacturing techniques of the era, employing silver soldering to join the intricate gold twisted rope elements. This creates a clean, durable bond unseen on most mass-produced insignia. The fouled anchors themselves represent the Navy. A "fouled anchor"—one with its rope or chain entangled around the stock and fluke—is a timeless symbol of seamanship and naval tradition.
This commitment to detail — from the lost wax casting of eagle and anchors to the meticulously assembly of ropes — contrasted with the duller, often silver and gold plated die struck brass eagles of other manufacturers. For a US Naval officer, a "Baily Banks & Biddle cap device" was a definitive mark of pride and attention to tradition.
Baily Banks & Biddle Co. also understood the importance of their brand and used distinct maker's marks on all their insignia. This eagle displays the two most common B.B.&B. Co. markings found on their military items.
While most rank and collar insignia were stamped with the initials “B.B.&B. Co.”—a marking also used on US Army and USMC cap devices—their Naval eagles are distinct. All known examples are double-marked, with stamps typically located on the reverse of the wing tip and the bottom of the fouled anchor.
Left and Right Facing Eagles Explained
The US Navy uniform regulations of 1866 prescribed, for the first time, an eagle-anchor device to be worn on a visored cap, with the eagle facing left. The "Cap Ornament," introduced in 1869, shows the eagle facing right. In general, eagles in decorative use from the 1860s through 1940 faced to the left.
In 1941, US Navy uniform regulations changed, shifting the eagle's direction to face the wearer's right (dexter). This aligned with heraldic tradition, where the right side (dexter) is the honor side of the shield, while the left side (sinister) indicates dishonor or illegitimacy. Some also believe the shift positioned the eagle for battle—facing the enemy and standing tall—reflecting the nation's readiness for World War II.
Vintage Baily Banks & Biddle insignia are highly sought after by militaria collectors for their superior quality and craftsmanship.
From a rarity perspective: when I was collecting US Military cap insignia, my collection contained over 2000 examples, which included more than 300 Naval Officer’s eagle variations.
I could not put a number on how many US Naval eagles I have examined in 47 years of collecting and selling military collectibles. I only personally know of one example of a left-facing B.B.&B. US Naval Officer’s eagle and have only owned three right-facing examples.
The name remains synonymous with the era when officers sourced their finest uniform items from elite jewelers, reflecting a tradition of pride and personal investment in military appearance. While no longer a major manufacturer, the Baily Banks & Biddle name is still remembered and respected within military circles for its historic role in outfitting the American officer corps.
In summary, Baily Banks & Biddle leveraged its reputation as a master jeweler to become the preferred provider of finely crafted military insignia for generations of U.S. officers. This legacy has left a lasting mark on American military tradition, and their insignia remains a prized find among collectors.
Final Note:
Given the significant rarity and desirability of these eagles, collectors should be aware that the market has seen examples of standard or lesser Navy eagles with fraudulently applied B.B.&B. Co. markings. It is crucial to exercise caution. Any piece offered as a B.B.&B. Co. eagle that lacks the specific qualities detailed in this guide — from the lost wax casting of the distinct Germanic styling, highly polished details of the shield and anchors, and high-quality silver soldering to the precise double-marking—should be met with immediate suspicion.
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