Opinions on LAH Cyphers

[areilley]

I have only seen one good article on SS shoulderboard cyphers in general (Military Advisor) and that article only had a bit on LAH cyphers. Here are some pictures of three cyphers that I have collected over the years, I know that one of them is a fake for sure, but could I get some opinions on these and some info on what to look for in the future? Thank you for any and all help!
Alan

[areilley]

LAH Cyphers

Here is the picture of the backs.

[Erich B.]

ciphers

Yes, I'd like some pointers on determining originality of these also!
Erich

[Mark Holden]

Alan,


I like 1 and 2, not sure on #3. I just picked up a cypher identical to your #1 missing its prongs but at $40 to cheap to pass up.

Cheers

Mark

[areilley]

LAH Cyphers

Hello Mark, i have found out that No. 2 is a fake, if you look closely you can see round holes that were drilled into to cypher. No 1 I still do not know for sure.

[SgtB]

Hi Alan!

These can be really tough! I like #1 except for the fact that the hole
in the lower left corner of the H is not properly cut out. I didn't like #2
for the same reason you stated. I like the three prongs on #3, but I
don't like the way it is poorly cut out at the top left between the A and
the H. But who knows? There are certainly manufacturers variants.

In fact, I always thought that they should have three prongs until
I got this set from a vet. He had the whole tunic, but I was about
20 years too late. When he went to look at it a couple decades
after the war, he discovered that the moths had taken up residence.
Big time. He removed the cyphers, tabs, sleeve eagle and cufftitle
and threw the rest away. Sounded like an M-36!

These are the only ones I've seen in a long time that I'm sure
are good. Sorry, but my pics aren't as good as yours. Just got a new
digital camera.

[SgtB]

back

[areilley]

LAH Cyphers

Since I posted the pictures of the three cyphers, I bought a LAH board from Steve Wolfe, I will post a close up of the cypher. I am not going to take the cypher off of the board, so I do not have a picture of the back, but by feel it is three pronged.
Brian, the lower corner of the H is not cut out on this example. I have seen pictures of original cyphers both ways. As you said there are sure to be differences.
Alan

[SgtB]

I see! That one looks nice and crisp. No, I wouldn't remove it either.
Congrats!

[Mark Holden]

Alan,

My cypher is a 2 pin, Just goes to show how good the repros are I still like #1, #2 would have fooled me!

Cheers

Mark

I see! That one looks nice and crisp. No, I wouldn't remove it either.
Congrats!

[Gary Wood]

here is an Nco's example to add to the thread, 2 pin

cheers,
gary

[InfanterieSammler]

Nco

Here's another NCO cypher. It is, or rather was a two prong example, but both prongs have broken off and the cypher is hand sewn on to the board...Best, John