Imperial German Jager zu Pferde 2 Leutnant Feldgrau Numeral Shoulder Board

An original Leutnant’s silver-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of Jäger-Regiment zu Pferde Nr. 2 (Mounted Rifle Regiment No. 2), here distinguished by a subdued field-grey numeral. The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 5.0 – Jäg. zu Pf. R. 2.” The absence of rank stars denotes Leutnant.

The board is built of flat braided silver cord worked in the herringbone pattern and turned at the rounded head, carrying a “2” numeral in subdued field-grey (feldgrau) finish on the lower field rather than the bright gilt of the dress pattern. It is mounted on the red-and-green underlay of the mounted rifles. A vertical button slit is worked at the head, and the squared base terminates in frayed cord ends.

The Jäger zu Pferde were a light reconnaissance cavalry arm carrying the green Jäger tradition onto horseback. The feldgrau numeral reflects the wartime move toward subdued insignia, the muted device replacing the bright gilt numeral of the parade board, while the red-and-green underlay remains the branch distinction.

The “2” numeral identifies the regiment, and the absence of a rank star denotes the grade of Leutnant; the subdued numeral marks the field, rather than dress, pattern.

Condition is good. The silver cord retains good braid definition with the expected tarnish, the feldgrau numeral is secure, and the red-and-green underlay is sound. The collection label is intact on the reverse, and the base shows frayed cord ends in the manner normal to the unfinished tuck end. No restoration is evident in the provided images.

The combination of a scarce cavalry branch with the wartime feldgrau numeral gives this board appeal for collectors of both the mounted rifles and the development of subdued Imperial insignia, and it pairs naturally with the bright-numeral board of the same regiment.