Imperial German Prussia Grenadier R 5 Officer Epaulette Hauptmann Crowned Cypher

This is a single original officer’s Epaulette (epaulette) of the Königin Elisabeth Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 5 (Queen Elisabeth Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 5), a Prussian Guard regiment of the Imperial German Army. The piece corresponds to the rank of Hauptmann (captain), indicated by the two four-pointed rank stars flanking the cypher.

Construction follows the standard Imperial pattern for company-grade officers. The crescent (Halbmond) and oval Feld (field) are convex copper-gilt over a padded body, mounted on a scarlet wool backing characteristic of the regiment. A silver bullion strap of flat-braided subaltern type rises from the field to the button slot. At center sits a gilt crowned cypher, an interlaced royal monogram surmounted by a pierced Königskrone (royal crown), marking the regiment as held under a royal chief; two applied gilt rank stars sit to either side. The reverse retains its original red wool felt with collector’s notation.

Guard grenadier regiments occupied a position of considerable prestige within the Prussian establishment, drawing officers from established military and noble families. The crowned cypher denotes the regiment’s royal chief, a distinction reserved for units placed under the patronage of a member of the ruling house. Officers’ epaulettes of this grade were worn on the Galauniform (full-dress uniform) for parade and court occasions and were privately tailored, accounting for the quality of the bullion and gilt work seen here.

The crown-surmounted cypher and paired stars together establish a Hauptmann of a royally-chiefed Guard grenadier regiment. The German term Epaulette derives from the French and entered Prussian usage in the eighteenth century.

Condition is very good for an item of this age. The gilt retains strong tone with light high-point wear; the bullion strap is intact and bright with minor oxidation. The scarlet field shows even color with light handling wear. The reverse backing is sound, with a single felt collection label affixed.

Guard regiment officer insignia, particularly Hauptmann-grade pieces bearing a crowned royal cypher, are sought after for their direct connection to the senior Prussian establishment and are increasingly difficult to locate as single original examples rather than reproductions. The combination of clear rank, regimental association, and Guard provenance gives the piece strong appeal to collectors building Prussian Guard or rank-progression groupings.