Imperial German Prussia Field Artillery FAR 10 Officer Epaulette Pair Leutnant

This is a matched pair of original officer’s Epauletten (epaulettes) of Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 10 (Field Artillery Regiment No. 10) of Prussia. The pieces correspond to the rank of Leutnant (second lieutenant), the absence of rank stars on the field fixing the junior commissioned grade.

Each epaulette is built on the Imperial officer pattern. A convex copper-gilt crescent encloses a padded oval Feld (field), with a silver bullion strap of flat subaltern braid rising to the button slot. At the center of each field sits a gilt regimental numeral “10” beside a flaming grenade (Flammende Granate) device, the traditional emblem of the artillery and grenadier arms. The scarlet backing is consistent with the regiment.

Field artillery was among the most technically demanding arms of the Imperial service, and its officers required specialized training in gunnery and fire direction. The flaming grenade device is the long-established artillery and grenadier symbol, signifying the explosive ordnance the branch served. The numeral identifies the specific regiment, while the grenade marks the branch of service.

The unstarred fields establish the rank as Leutnant; the grenade-and-numeral arrangement identifies the field artillery. As a matched left-and-right pair retaining their branch devices, the set would have been worn together on the full-dress uniform.

Condition is fair, and is described plainly here. Both epaulettes exhibit significant moth and insect damage to the scarlet wool, with areas of substrate loss exposing the internal padding and backing material; one piece shows a sizable open area of loss at the strap junction with exposed fibrous fill. The gilt numerals and grenade devices remain present and legible, and the copper-gilt crescents are sound. The bullion straps are intact but soiled. These are restorable display pieces or a study pair rather than pristine examples, and the damage is honestly reflected in the offering.

Despite the condition, matched original artillery officer pairs with intact branch devices are not commonly offered, and the flaming grenade insignia and clear regimental numeral retain identification and display value. The pair suits a collector willing to undertake conservation, or one assembling a branch- or regiment-focused reference holding where completeness of insignia outweighs textile condition.