Imperial German Uhlan Regiment 3 Hauptmann Shoulder Board Crowned Cypher

An original Hauptmann’s silver-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 3 (Uhlan, or Lancer, Regiment No. 3), with gilt fittings. The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 2.0 – Ul. R. 3.” A gilt crown above an interlaced cypher, flanked by a pair of rank stars, denotes Hauptmann.

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 crown above an interlaced cypher, with one gilt six-pointed rank star (Stern) set above and a second below. A vertical button slit is worked at the head, and the squared base terminates in cut cord ends.

The Ulanen, or uhlans, were the lance-armed light cavalry of the Imperial army, employed in reconnaissance and the charge. The crowned cypher marks a regiment held under a royal chief, and the numeral-free field with crowned cypher is typical of the cyphered cavalry boards.

The crowned monogram is an interlaced cypher beneath an arched crown; the precise letters are not cleanly resolved in the provided images and are therefore left unattributed. The two rank stars are the distinction of a Hauptmann.

Condition is good. The silver cord retains good braid definition with the expected tarnish, and the gilt crown, cypher, 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 cut cord ends in the manner normal to the unfinished tuck end. No restoration is evident in the provided images.

An uhlan captain’s board carrying a crowned cypher is a desirable cavalry piece, well suited to a collection of the mounted arms or of officer rank insignia.