Imperial German Prussia Ulan UlR 10 Officer Epaulette Rittmeister Original

This is a single original cavalry officer’s Epaulette (epaulette) of Ulanen-Regiment Nr. 10 (Uhlan/Lancer Regiment No. 10) of Prussia. The two applied rank stars flanking the regimental numeral identify the rank as Rittmeister (cavalry captain), the mounted equivalent of Hauptmann.

The piece follows the Imperial officer pattern adapted to the cavalry. A convex copper-gilt crescent encloses a padded oval Feld (field) of rose-crimson wool, with a silver bullion strap of flat subaltern braid rising to the button slot. At center sits a gilt regimental numeral “10,” flanked by two gilt four-pointed rank stars. The crimson field is characteristic of the regiment’s facing color.

The Uhlans were lance-armed light cavalry, and their regiments carried the dash and prestige associated with mounted service in the Imperial army. The use of a plain regimental numeral rather than a cypher indicates a regiment not held under a royal chief at the time of manufacture, the numeral and a cypher serving distinct identifying functions. The Rittmeister commanded a squadron (Eskadron), the cavalry counterpart of the infantry company.

The doubled rank stars over a plain numeral on a crimson field together establish a Rittmeister of UlR 10. The German rank Rittmeister translates literally as “riding master” and was used in lieu of Hauptmann throughout the mounted arms.

Condition is very good. The gilt numeral and stars retain strong tone; the copper-gilt crescent shows light high-point wear with attractive aged patina. The bullion strap is intact. The rose-crimson field is bright and even. The reverse retains its original wool backing with collection label.

Cavalry officer epaulettes are encountered less frequently than infantry examples, and clearly attributed Rittmeister-grade Uhlan pieces appeal strongly to collectors of the mounted arms and to those assembling rank or regimental sets. The crimson field and clean numeral make for an immediately legible and attractive display piece.