Germany, Second War. An Exceedingly Rare Grand Admiral Shoulder Board

This is an exceedingly rare second war German Grand Admiral Shoulder board; constructed of a silver aluminum bullion interwoven strand of a Russian-style braid, flanked by double rows of gold coloured bullion wire embroidery on either side; in an interlocking weave pattern; the neck end of each board with a loop for placement on a uniform on a white wool core; with a single silvered Feldmarschall rank pip attached to the obverse of the boards; measuring 100 mm (w) x 35 mm (h); the wooden through-point on the uniform-end of the shoulder board split near the middle, but in overall extremely fine condition. (C:213)

Footnote: The rank of Grand Admiral was held by only two people during the second war; Erich Raeder (Commander in Chief of the Kriegsmarine), and Karl Dönitz, Commander of the U-Boat Fleet.