Gold & Silver L Cyphers

[shinerb]

What is the difference between a gold and silver "L" cypher on a shoulder board especially when it accompanies pink piping?

[CSP]

Gold metal devices are associated with Heer officer ranks, silver with Heer NCO ranks. I have seen what I believe to be original officer boards with silver devices - and after 60 years sometimes the gold wash will be gone through a tarnishing and age process - but I cannot recall seeing any strap I thought was original /untouched for an NCO that had gold metal ldevices.