Pilots Shoulder Boards

[Mike39]

Hi Guy's
I've recently been offered these lovely Pilots Shoulder Boards. This isn't my field of expertise so I would appreciate any comments on their originality & value.

Regards
Mike

[Mike39]

2

[Arran]

The components are all original, but keep in mind that original winged propellor devices are available loose...

[Chip M]

I agree with Arran and might make one other comment. White would not be the normal underlay for a Flieger offier's board. Unless the officer was seconded from another branch, the normal color would be a light gray underlay (Unterlage) with white, red, yellow or blue piping (Randstreifen). There were liberties taken with these rules during the war and you sometimes see just a feldgrau underlay. So this pair would have to be someone seconded from the infantry (white underlay) and still wearing that uniform. Otherwise, they are just thrown together from original parts.

Chip

[Mike39]

Hi Guy's
Thanks for your comments. From what you've said, looks like I'd best not go ahead and get them unless they have provenance.

Cheers
Mike

[Chip M]

Mike,

As said, the parts are OK, but considering the mint condition of the board and the fact that the prongs are pushed all the way through, it might be that they were just put together. An unissued Prussian infantry lieutenant's boards would be the easiest thing to find to put a loose pair of devices on.

I'm not saying that these cannot be legitimate, but rather that you might want to save your money for a more typical pair.

Chip

[Mike39]

Thanks Chip
Really appreciate your advice.

Cheers
Mike

[Tony & Kaiser]

The best way to become comfortable with these, is to have them in hand and gently pry up the bottom of a prop to peer underneath. Under the prop the silver bullion should be MUCH brighter. All officer's boards fade/tarnish on the exterior. Under the cypher it is protected. If it looks the same, then the props have been added.