M36 Artillerie board for comment

[Mark_K]

Hi All,

Posted for your assessment is a board that I got as part of a bunch. It looks like it could be for an artillerie waffenrock, but the piping seems rather strange. I think it may be the type known as ‘basket weave’, and it has stitching running around its edge that I have not seen in any other boards. The embroidery of the regimental ‘36’ is very nicely done, probably machine-embroidered, but would boards of that period (circa mid to late 1930s) have this style of stitching, or should it only be the classic chain-stitching?

The third picture shows the reverse of the buttonhole, and I am curious to know if you think the little tufts of thread around the inside mean this is a ‘cut after’ buttonhole, which I know people take as a bad sign.

What prompted me to post this one is that its twin brother is sitting on a dealer’s website, and I was wondering whether to buy it and make a pair of them. To be honest, I have a bad feeling about this one, but it wasn’t expensive.

I’m trying to learn as much as possible about how to tell fake boards from good ones, so any thoughts you have on this board will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Mark

[Mark_K]

The buttonhole.

[Bob Hritz]

Perfectly fine and original. The piping application style is not common, but surely original to the period and seen on other original shoulder boards.

Bob Hritz

[Schulterklappen]

Shoulder strap

This piece is probably a tailor made piece for a private purchase uniform. The numbers might be sewn over a template. You will see variations in styles of pipings for these types of piping. No problems with this piece!

[PaulR]

I have not seen another like it. I am envious.

[STUG III]

M36

Here's a pair of mine with similar embroidery, but with wool piping. Your board is an excellent example, I like the stitching on the piping,(I'm sure it was done to create head scratching in future collectors!). DL

[Mark_K]

Many thanks for your comments on the board. I haven't come across any other boards where the piping has stitching running along its edge, but the suggestion of it being a private purchase item could explain this unusual feature. Creative tailors give collectors pause for thought!

I just checked the board, and the '36' is indeed sewn over a template (I've heard these card templates being called 'unterlagen' when discussed in relation to officers' bullion breast eagles). It does give the numbers a pleasing 3D look.

Thanks again for your help, and Happy Easter!

Mark

[Mark_K]

PS - Many thanks for the photo, STUG III. What a great pair of boards. I really don't see a lot of good quality original boards on online dealers' websites, and as for a lot of the items on German eBay...Yikes!!!