Panzer Shoulder Boards. Glowing Under Ultraviolet Light a Sign of Being Reproduction?

[Shockwave]

Help please. Picked up this pair of Panzer shoulder boards. Thought they were a good pair of originals, but the pink material glows under ultraviolet light. Is this a definite indication of these boards being reproduction? Thanks. Ron

[Aiur]

I know nothing about the shoulder board space, so you'll have to wait for someone with more knowledge to tell you how those look. However, I collect cuff titles, where people use UV testing as well. My stance on UV testing is that it's basically useless, and should only be used as a literal last resort.

Think about the life of one of these items. A real item of this nature has been around since the 30's or early-40's. If they were cleaned/came into contact with any chemicals that fluoresce under UV light at any period in the last 80+ years, they will light up forever.

[Shockwave]

I know nothing about the shoulder board space, so you'll have to wait for someone with more knowledge to tell you how those look. However, I collect cuff titles, where people use UV testing as well. My stance on UV testing is that it's basically useless, and should only be used as a literal last resort.

Think about the life of one of these items. A real item of this nature has been around since the 30's or early-40's. If they were cleaned/came into contact with any chemicals that fluoresce under UV light at any period in the last 80+ years, they will light up forever.

I see what you are saying. Just seemed odd to that only the pink material glowed and nothing else. Ron

[Aiur]

I see what you are saying. Just seemed odd to that only the pink material glowed and nothing else. Ron

I would look at that materials, epaulets and the stitching as closely as possible compared against an original before looking at UV testing.

For instance, I just did a very quick search for "Panzer Hauptmann Shoulder Boards." Of the 10 or so alleged original examples I looked at, the epaulets and piping on yours look like they were made yesterday compared to the search results. There's no signs of use, at least to me. This isn't a "smoking gun" or anything like that, but if these are original, you'd have to consider they were almost certainly unused and stored away in near perfect conditions for 80+ years. I would be far more worried about that as opposed to any UV light test.

Also, looking at the few examples I looked at, it seems like they go in the $200 range for a pair. If you paid less than that (especially a lot less), that could be another sign they aren't the real thing.

[Shockwave]

I would look at that materials, epaulets and the stitching as closely as possible compared against an original before looking at UV testing.

For instance, I just did a very quick search for "Panzer Hauptmann Shoulder Boards." Of the 10 or so alleged original examples I looked at, the epaulets and piping on yours look like they were made yesterday compared to the search results. There's no signs of use, at least to me. This isn't a "smoking gun" or anything like that, but if these are original, you'd have to consider they were almost certainly unused and stored away in near perfect conditions for 80+ years. I would be far more worried about that as opposed to any UV light test.

Also, looking at the few examples I looked at, it seems like they go in the $200 range for a pair. If you paid less than that (especially a lot less), that could be another sign they aren't the real thing.

Price was consistent with an original set and from a well regarded dealer

[Aiur]

Price was consistent with an original set and from a well regarded dealer

Wait for the uniform experts. They'll give you a definitive answer.

[Eagle mtn]

In 20 years pf collecting, i have noticed that original panzer pink (rosa) has a tendency to glow under UV. There are occasional instances where original insignia can glow, but its not so much a question of “if” it glows but “how” it glows. Looking at your pictures, the glow is consistent with the few I have in my collection.

I agree with Aiur in that the UV test basically useless. The materials used and construction is what really matters. I have heard a convincing argument that says original items can be made to glow when washed with modern “color enhancing” detergents. Food for thought

Looking at the ones pictured, it does look like these were removed from a uniform based on the stitching holes. I have always been a proponent of the phrase “condition is no indicator or originality”. Mint condition items show up for sale all the time.

[Tim030]

I agree with eagle mtn. I have see the piping glow on some originals of the panzer variety. It is the pink piping material that glows. The other materials do not.

I also would give more credit to manufacturing, materials ect then I would piping glowing.

Thanks Tim

[rbminis]

I have heard a convincing argument that says original items can be made to glow when washed with modern “color enhancing” detergents. Food for thought

It is the phosphates in modern detergents that causes this.
Ralph.

[Watchdog]

For what it's worth in this context the UV light test is most effective in assessing paper items or similar as original items will never have been legitimately exposed to bleach like phosphorescent compounds and modern paper glow like a disco!

Regards

Mark