Bavarian Luftstreitkräfte Engineer Officer’s Shoulder Board – Single

This is a single Bavarian officer’s shoulder board from the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service), dating to the First World War. The board is constructed of interwoven silver bullion cord on a red wool underlay, denoting a technical branch posting within Bavaria. Affixed to the center is a finely detailed gilt device of a propeller flanked by outspread wings, the classic insignia of aviation officers responsible for aircraft and flight operations. Above this sits a small domed button bearing the Bavarian rampant lion, symbol of the Kingdom of Bavaria and used exclusively on Bavarian issue insignia.

This particular example represents a Fliegertruppe (aviation troops) engineer or technical officer, tasked with aircraft maintenance, airfield logistics, or operational support—roles crucial to the rapid expansion of German air power during the Great War. The red underlay further ties this to technical or artillery-linked service arms, a distinction often blurred within aviation’s support structure.

Condition is very good, with bullion retaining a bright silver tone and only light age toning. The red wool backing shows expected period wear but remains intact, while both the button and gilt winged-propeller device are securely affixed with fine detail preserved.

Measurements: Standard officer size, approx. 4.5 in (11.5 cm) long.
Provenance: Likely removed from a wartime tunic, surviving as a single board.

A highly collectible, historically rich shoulder board representing Bavaria’s contribution to the Luftstreitkräfte, whose pioneering aviators helped shape the future of military aviation.