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[vintageproductions]

So are these merchant marine shoulder boards.

 

They look WWII or before in construction.

 

 

[tiger41]

I would say merchant navy and likely engineering branch. But it also could be coastal defense worn by a former naval officer. Since there were so many different merchant units I am not sure of the actual rank. Some of these insignia are "mixed and matched" and were made at tailor shops that catered to military and para military personnel and would make it the way you wanted. While the IJN did use this type of construction they did not use metal clips on standard shoulder boards only on dress items.  The navy used a  leather strap with a metal "finger" to secure the board to the uniform. I would say period as the anchor and cherry blossom button would not have been permitted to be worn post war.