Another Panzer Shoulder Boards Question

[Bob Hritz]

Since I have been looking for a pair of wool piped NCO Panzer shoulder boards, I have had no luck. A collector mailed these boards to me and I am not familiar with this type with no cotton or rayon backing on the tongues. These boards' tongues are just double layer of wool, from the front and reverse of the shoulder boards. The button holes are not 'keyhole' shaped.

Are these reproductions?

Bob Hritz

[Bob Hritz]

Verso

[Johnny R]

Although I have never seen Panzer boards these are appear to be similar in construction to Private purchase tailor-made field-gray boards often worn by other branches NCOs etc.

[Johnny R]

This may be the part of the Movie where Glenn or Mike Davis come in swinging on a rope and cut off my head center stage.

[B. N. Singer]

Since I have been looking for a pair of wool piped NCO Panzer shoulder boards, I have had no luck.
Bob Hritz

I might consider continuing the search.

B. N. Singer

[Bob Hritz]

Thank you, Bryon. That was my initial instinct.

Bob Hritz

[Johnny R]

They do look similar though but I would be tempted by these, I guess that is the point.

[TJ Suter]

There is nothing wrong with the slit style button holes. There is also nothing wrong with the type of tongue reinforcement these straps utilize. My first impression is that these are probably okay, but I'd want to see them in hand before making a definite call either way.

If you aren't comfortable with them I'd take Singer's advice and pass.

[Richard P]

I have seen an awful lot of standard Heer boards, usually considered private or tailor made that match these in materials and style...except these are black. I didn't care for them for a long time, but I have seen so many that I know for sure are legit (vet sources) that these might be O.K. I would tend to look for a standard set of issue wrap type boards, which might take a while. Most likely O.K. but go with the gut as you have to live with them for a while.

Richard

[B. N. Singer]

... My first impression is that these are probably okay, but I'd want to see them in hand before making a definite call either way.

If you aren't comfortable with them I'd take Singer's advice and pass.

Well Sergeant, it's only my uneducated opinion, should never take my word as "the gospel".

B. N. Singer

[phild]

I have seen an awful lot of standard Heer boards, usually considered private or tailor made that match these in materials and style...except these are black. I didn't care for them for a long time, but I have seen so many that I know for sure are legit (vet sources) that these might be O.K. I would tend to look for a standard set of issue wrap type boards, which might take a while. Most likely O.K. but go with the gut as you have to live with them for a while.

Richard

I agree with the observations above and with PD Sgt. I think that while it may be impossible to say 100%, I think that these look convincing as period tailor made boards.

I guess the safest way to go is to dismiss anything that is not 100% like a factory contract strap, however one will pass on a LOT of good period straps with that as a policy. I also think that there exist some 100% textbook straps that are as fake as 3 dollar bills but by being perfect fakes, they are not on the radar.

[besslein]

i like this boards, have seen in the past some made in this way tailor made most perhaps but still nice imo

[Luca Ongaro]

I consider this type of shoulder straps tailor made and pre 1945, here a mint style like those posted.
Luca

[Luca Ongaro]

2

[Johnny R]

That is the common backing material, the mable gray on the back of Lucas boards, this is the type of fabric I believe the Panzer boards are but dyed black, it always feels sort of "puffy". IMO it is a composite wool felt.