Two sets of boards - opinions please

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Could I please get some opinions on these two sets of shoulder boards. I've put them under the UV and there is no response, apart from the pink glowing orange (and some weak glow associated with some patchy surface oxidisation). If you need more pics or info, please let me know.

Regards
Mike

Obersturmfuhrer - Panzer, obverse...

[Mike Kenny]

Panzer, reverse....

[Mike Kenny]

Obersturmfuhrer - Signals, obverse...

[Mike Kenny]

Signals, reverse...

[John Pic]

They look ok to me aside from being a bit dirty which causes me some suspicion as to why?

[Mike Kenny]

Hi,

Well, almost 90 views and only one positive response - I'll take that as a sign of quiet approval. Don't worry, they won't pop up on the E-stand in the near future.

John, thanks for the reply. I am assuming they are only dirty through age/wear - I prefer things a bit "salty" anyway but these are my first real venture into SS.

Fyi, you can just make out on obverse of the Panzer boards that they used to be Hauptsturmfuhrer rank (look closely and you'll see some different wear and two holes/spaces where two pips may have been on each board). It's more obvious from the wear on the reverse of one of them (under the flap, so not visible in the scan). The current pips look like they have been in place for a while though, but whether that's 6 years or 60 years I could not say.

Was demotion common in the W-SS, or have the Panzer boards possibly been "tampered" with? I suppose another possibility is that the boards were stripped of two pips and a central device - later replaced with only one pip in the central location. Were boards exchanged between officers - eg a Hauptsturmfuhrer (or higher rank) giving an old/second set of boards to a newly field promoted officer, in lieu of officially available boards?

Just rambling, but your thoughts on these "theories" would be appreciated.

Regards
Mike

[John Pic]

It could of happened for any number of reasons. Demotion or just what was available at the time they were aquired and the rank was changed. The officers wouldnt have been as particular as we are.They appear rayon piped havent seen fakes of those yet with proper rayon piping.

[John P. Moore]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the shoulder boards appearing dirty. Here are two pairs of signals shoulder boards that are well worn and not particularly clean. I've no doubts about there authenticity as they were given to me by the original owner who told me that he had owned them since mid-1943.

John

[Mike Kenny]

Thanks again guys.

John P, don't worry, I'm not being picky, I'm happy they are simply authentic. Yes, both pairs appear to be ?rayon piped. Surprised to hear anything SS is not yet being faked!

John M, they are two nice sets of boards! Nice to see some smaller than regulation pips with rock solid provenance as well!

Regards
Mike