Imperial German Dragoon Regiment 16 Rittmeister Numeral Shoulder Board

An original Rittmeister’s silver-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 16. The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 5.1 – DR 16.” A gilt “16” numeral flanked by a pair of rank stars denotes Rittmeister, the cavalry rank equivalent to captain.

The board is built of flat braided silver cord worked in the herringbone pattern and turned at the rounded head, mounted on a golden-yellow wool underlay. The lower field carries a gilt “16” numeral, with one gilt six-pointed rank star (Stern) set above and a second below, the two together denoting the rank. A vertical button slit is worked at the head, and the squared base terminates in lightly frayed cord ends.

As dragoons, the regiment served as light cavalry for reconnaissance, screening, and mounted action. The Rittmeister was the cavalry’s equivalent of the infantry Hauptmann — a captain commanding a squadron — and carried the same two-star distinction. The numeral “16” identifies the regiment, and the golden-yellow underlay is its branch distinction.

The numeral “16” identifies the regiment, and the two gilt stars are the rank distinction of a Rittmeister.

Condition is good. The silver cord retains good braid definition with the expected tarnish, and the gilt numeral and both rank stars are present and secure. The golden-yellow underlay is sound, the collection label is intact on the reverse, and the base shows lightly frayed cord ends in the manner normal to the unfinished tuck end. No restoration is evident in the provided images.

A numbered dragoon board in the cavalry captain’s grade, with a clear regimental numeral and the squadron-commander’s rank, makes a sound representative piece for a cavalry or rank-focused collection.