These Original German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards are a superb matching pair of Second World War German Army officer insignia. Beautifully constructed from fine silver Russian braid with red artillery Waffenfarbe underlay, they retain their original gilt rank pips and distinctive Gothic “B3” unit cyphers. Their quality, originality and excellent state of preservation make them an outstanding museum-quality addition to any advanced Wehrmacht collection.
€ 150
1 in stock
These Original German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards are a superb matching pair of Second World War German Army officer insignia. Beautifully constructed from fine silver Russian braid with red artillery Waffenfarbe underlay, they retain their original gilt rank pips and distinctive Gothic “B3” unit cyphers. Their quality, originality and excellent state of preservation make them an outstanding museum-quality addition to any advanced Wehrmacht collection.
The silver officer braid immediately identifies these shoulder boards as officer-grade insignia. Furthermore, the two gilt rank stars on each board denote the rank of Hauptmann (Captain), while the vivid red branch colour identifies the wearer as an officer serving in the Heer Artillery (Artillerie).
The Gothic “B” above the numeral “3” is an original unit designation applied during wartime service. It is generally interpreted as identifying a formation beginning with the letter B, most commonly associated with an artillery Beobachtungs-Abteilung (Observation Battalion), although definitive identification requires supporting provenance.
These German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship expected of German Army officer insignia.
Each board features tightly woven silver Russian braid surrounding a field-grey wool centre. The braid remains crisp and retains excellent definition throughout. In addition, the scarlet red Waffenfarbe underlay provides striking contrast while correctly identifying the artillery branch.
The original gilt rank stars remain securely mounted and display an attractive natural patina. Likewise, the Gothic “B3”cyphers remain original to the boards and retain excellent detail.
The reverse still displays the original field-grey cloth backing with the correct attachment tongues and fixing points. These construction details are entirely consistent with wartime Heer officer manufacture.
The German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards identify the wearer as a Hauptmann (Captain) within the German Army.
Key identifying features include:
Because officers often transferred between units during their careers, unit cyphers were occasionally altered. However, surviving examples retaining their original cyphers remain considerably more desirable than plain officer boards.
The German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards formed part of the regulation uniform worn by commissioned officers throughout the Second World War.
Artillery officers commanded gun batteries, observation units and fire direction centres while supporting infantry and armoured formations across every theatre of the war. The distinctive red Waffenfarbe identified the artillery branch immediately, while shoulder board construction reflected the wearer’s rank and status.
The rank of Hauptmann was equivalent to Captain and normally involved command of an artillery battery or service as a senior staff officer. Consequently, original Hauptmann shoulder boards remain highly sought after by collectors specialising in Wehrmacht uniforms and insignia.
These German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards remain in excellent original condition.
The bullion braid remains bright with only minor age-related wear. Moreover, the red underlay retains excellent colour, while the reverse backing remains original and untouched.
Collectors value German Heer Artillery Hauptmann Shoulder Boards because they combine rarity, quality and historical importance.
This matching pair offers:
Whether displayed with a Wehrmacht tunic or as part of a specialist insignia collection, these shoulder boards represent an excellent example of German Army officer equipment.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | German Heer (Army) |
| Branch | Artillery |
| Rank | Hauptmann (Captain) |
| Period | 1939–1945 |
| Construction | Silver Russian braid |
| Waffenfarbe | Red (Artillery) |
| Unit Cypher | Gothic “B” over numeral “3” |
| Rank Insignia | Two gilt pips per board |
| Backing | Field-grey wool |
| Original | Yes |
| Condition | Museum Quality |
For further research on German Army uniforms and insignia, consult:
Explore related listings: Insignia, Shoulder Boards and Breast Eagles.
