WWI-Era & Interwar Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI)

The interwar period (1922–1939) saw the formalization of the Army's heraldic program under the Heraldic Branch of the Quartermaster Corps. Distinctive Unit Insignia authorized during these years represent some of the earliest examples of the DUI system — and many bear direct lineage to units that fought in the trenches of the Western Front and other theaters of World War I. These early crests often differ visibly from WWII-era production: construction methods, metal alloys, and hallmarking conventions evolved significantly over the period. Pre-war DUI were typically produced in smaller runs, making them considerably rarer than the equivalent WWII-period pieces. Collectors of the interwar period appreciate the deep historical layer these pieces represent — units reorganized after WWI, the development of the National Guard system, and the Army's doctrinal evolution through the lean years before World War II. Each piece in this collection is documented with reference to known authorization dates and period production characteristics.