Imperial German Dragoon Regiment 15 Rittmeister Numeral Shoulder Board Silver

An original Rittmeister’s silver-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 15. The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 5.0 – Silver DR 15 – Rittmeister.” A gilt “15” 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, carrying a gilt “15” numeral on the lower field with one gilt six-pointed rank star (Stern) set above and a second below. It is mounted on a red wool underlay. A vertical button slit is worked at the head, and the squared base terminates in cut 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 “15” identifies the regiment.

The numeral “15” 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 red 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.

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.