GFM

Well then, we must already know each other? Either that or the cap has made the rounds of ownership.

It's really hard to see much of anything in that low res photo. I've been presented with other fuzzy photos of these boards in which other collectors were trying to discern whether it was a variant or not and there has just never been a good, clear and clean shot that can verify anything. I will say one thing; that grand cross sure looks odd in this photo, almost as if it was retouched....it is just so stark!

Well, there have been some shoulderboards going around for years that have been labeled as fakes because they haven't been documented in original photographs. You may actually help clear that up. Again, you are welcome to email me privately to discuss, if you are concerned about this being public. You can also visit my site, which is linked in my signature below, if you would like to see good reference on Gorings insignia (and a number of other high ranks). Mike

No offense, but I think the limited numbers of people who collect his effects are probably savy enough to question anything new that would appear without any provenance. I've seen pics of metal collar devices of his before, in fact I believe there is one published in Angolia's book.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, I've yet to see any reproductions of Goring's insignia that even begins to approach the quality of the original items. I've you've ever had an opportunity to examine Gorings insignia you'll realize there is nobody capable of producing anything like it these days....it is truly a lost art. Even his breast eagles are superior to anything you will see on a Luft General. I would be interested to talk further about these, if you'd care to engage me: mike@themarshalsbaton.com

I have a photo of Milch as Generaloberst wearing the black backed tabs....at the moment I can't locate it, but will poke around until I find it. I do have it posted on my website in the "Luftwaffe GFM" section. I do know that Goring also had tabs made with a backing color to match his uniform, as well as direct embroidered to the collar. I don't know if we'll ever truly know the amount of variants Hermann had for his uniforms, as he changed them several times each day.