Increditible German Shoulder Board Find

[Mainemilitaria]

Brent,

"Holy Bat Sh-t" ....what a find!!!!!

They are all wonderful examples....the scarest obvious ones are the Aviation ones, the Minenwefer (MV), the Pioneer (Pick & shovel), all those with Crowns and Monograms, but all would be a find if you collected WW 1 shoulder straps and didn't have that particular example or variant.....

Unless I had a major investment in this collection....I'd of course keep it together just as it came. If I had to recoupe my investment- then I'd either sell something else or tragically, break these up....unfortunately Tony & Kaiser is correct....you'd NEVER get anywhere near full potential value with this big of a lot....just the reality of collecting.

Great find....keep it together....you'll never see another grouping like this again.
You're one fortunate Son-of-a-gun!!!!!
John G.
Mainemilitaria

[Hoss]

Incredible!
There,s some very desirable boards here, some less so. I agree, its got to stay together as found. A collector has gone to a lot of trouble to make a dramatic display of shoulder boards and to split it and sell off the more valuable would be a shame IMO.

Eric

[Don D.]

Its not like they were a real grouping. Saying it has to stay together is like saying when I die my collection must all be sold together or not at all.

[Chip M]

Well, being a WWi German strap collector for over forty years, I must say that that is one of the more impressive wartime strap blankets I have seen. The funny thing is that I have seen most of these straps before. That is to say, I either own them or have seen them with some regularity.

These obviously came from a depot or warehouse, as they all appear to be unissued. Seeing multiple pairs from the same units reinforces this notion. For instance, the Jäger Batl.Nr.31 was formed during the war, as a coastal defense unit within Germany. It never left Germany and was disbanded in short order when it was realized that the allies would not be landing on the German coast. So, I am sure these straps were just excess in storage and certainly not picked up on the battlefield.

I would be interested to know what Minenwerfer company (unit number below the "MW") the example in the collection is.

It would be very difficult to realize anywhere near the full value of the piece (if that were your intention) if it was sold as a souvenir display. Selling it off piece by piece would take time, but the return would be worth the trouble.

Chip

[WalterB]

Very cool find! I hope these items are well cared for and not destroyed.

[ROBB]

Outstanding shame they are not battlefield pick ups . You will have to split them up to reach their full monetary potential . Ebay would be the best bet . Rob

[Hoss]

Its not like they were a real grouping. Saying it has to stay together is like saying when I die my collection must all be sold together or not at all.

Don
When are you thinking of 'popping off'. I,ll start saving right now!

Eric

[Don D.]

Ha, don't hold your breath.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

If they come up for sale all I want is a set of something I can use for the infantry mannequin display I still want to put together with a great coat.

W.

[Hoss]

Well, being a WWi German strap collector for over forty years,
Chip

Chip
You must have an incredible collection. I for one would love to see it.

Eric

[Chip M]

Eric,

I don't have everything photographed in bulk. I do have over 800 pieces. I primarily collect wartime cyphered examples, Ersatz, type pieces and straps with devices or letters on them (like MF, MW, GA, O, hunting horms, crossed picks and shovels, etc.) Here is one photo I took over the winter to post on a French forum.

Chip

[Aisne1917]

Hello,

Really great find!! Same as other, i would be interested by some ie 87 and MW if split! Not to push on this, but i will say that some have already been taken as we can see empty spot on the blanket... By looking how nicely done it is, I will say that the spot were not left intentionally empty but it has been done after.

Aisne1917

[SLIM]

great find Brent and as these where put together by someone i would have no bother spliting them up