This outstanding matching pair of Original Panzer Major Shoulder Boards represents an increasingly scarce set of Wehrmacht Heer officer insignia belonging to Panzer-Regiment 11, one of the principal armoured regiments of the famous 6th Panzer Division.
€ 600
1 in stock
This outstanding matching pair of Original Panzer Major Shoulder Boards represents an increasingly scarce set of Wehrmacht Heer officer insignia belonging to Panzer-Regiment 11, one of the principal armoured regiments of the famous 6th Panzer Division.
Beautifully constructed in traditional silver officer braid, these shoulder boards retain their original rose-pink Waffenfarbe, the recognised branch colour of Germany’s elite Panzer troops. Each board displays the correct gilt “P”branch cipher identifying the Panzer arm, gilt “11” regimental numerals for Panzer-Regiment 11, and a single gilt rank pip denoting the rank of Major.
Matching Panzer officer shoulder boards retaining both branch ciphers and regimental numerals are significantly scarcer than standard officer examples and remain highly desirable among collectors of German armoured insignia.
These Original Panzer Major Shoulder Boards exhibit all the characteristics expected of privately purchased wartime officer insignia.
The quality of manufacture reflects the high standards expected of German officer’s uniform insignia during the Second World War.
Formed during the rapid expansion of Germany’s armoured forces in 1935, Panzer-Regiment 11 became the principal tank regiment of the 6th Panzer Division.
The regiment served throughout many of Germany’s major campaigns, including:
Throughout the war, Panzer-Regiment 11 established a reputation as an experienced front-line armoured regiment, serving almost continuously on the Eastern Front after 1941 and participating in several of the largest tank battles of the conflict.
The 6th Panzer Division evolved from the former 1st Light Division before being reorganised into a full Panzer Division during 1939.
The division participated in:
Recognised for its mobility and combat effectiveness, the division became one of the Wehrmacht’s most experienced armoured formations.
One of the defining features of these Original Panzer Major Shoulder Boards is the distinctive rose-pink Waffenfarbe.
The German Army used coloured piping, known as Waffenfarbe, to distinguish individual combat arms and specialist branches.
Rose-pink was reserved for:
Today, pink Waffenfarbe remains one of the most recognised and sought-after branch colours among collectors of German military uniforms. The precise origin of the colour is uncertain, although official Bundeswehr historical material notes that it may have developed from the combination of traditional infantry white and artillery red.
These shoulder boards remain in excellent original condition.
They retain:
Minor fraying along the lower edges is entirely consistent with wartime service and subsequent removal from a tunic.
Original Panzer Major Shoulder Boards complete with branch ciphers and regimental numerals have become increasingly difficult to obtain.
The combination of:
makes this pair an excellent addition to any advanced Wehrmacht or Panzer collection.
These shoulder boards would display particularly well alongside a Panzer officer’s visor cap, black Panzer wrapper, or field-grey officer’s tunic.
Officer insignia such as these were worn by senior company and battalion officers responsible for commanding armoured formations during some of the largest mechanised campaigns of the Second World War.
As original survivors from Germany’s elite Panzer arm, these shoulder boards provide an important insight into the command structure, organisation and traditions of the Wehrmacht’s armoured forces.
Explore related listings: Insignia, Shoulder Boards and Breast Eagles.
For further historical research, consult the following recognised institutions and reference sources:
Original insignia from Panzer-Regiment 11 rarely survive as complete, matching pairs retaining all original fittings. Their direct association with the 6th Panzer Division, one of the Wehrmacht’s most active armoured formations, further enhances both their historical significance and collector appeal. Whether displayed independently or alongside a complete Panzer officer’s uniform, these shoulder boards represent an outstanding example of original German military insignia from the Second World War.
