{"product_id":"imperial-german-mecklenburg-field-artillery-60-leutnant-officer-shoulder-board-copy","title":"Imperial German Mecklenburg Oberleutnant Dragoon Rgt 17 Shoulder Board Cypher","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eAn original Oberleutnant’s metallic-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of the 1. Großherzoglich Mecklenburgisches Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 17 (1st Grand Ducal Mecklenburg Dragoon Regiment No. 17). The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 10.0 – DR 17 Brass Trim,” consistent with the warm brass-gold cord, scarlet underlay, and crowned Mecklenburg cypher on the face. A single gilt rank star fixes the wearer’s grade at Oberleutnant (first lieutenant).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eThe board is built of flat braided metallic cord in the warm brass-gold tone that marks the “brass trim” of this regiment and sets it apart from its silver-corded sister, Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 18, the cord laid in parallel runs, turned at the rounded head, and shot through with fine soul threads (Seele) in red and blue. It is mounted on a scarlet wool underlay that frames the cord on the face and forms the full velvet backing across the reverse. The lower field carries a gilt crowned cypher — a royal monogram beneath the Grand Ducal crown — and below it a single gilt rank star (Stern) marking the grade. A vertical button slit is worked at the head for attachment, and the squared base terminates in cut cord ends that would seat beneath the shoulder seam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eDragoner-Regiment Nr. 17 was the senior of the two mounted regiments raised by the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, paired with Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 18; together they formed the cavalry arm of the duchy within the Imperial Army, brigaded in the IX Army Corps. The two regiments were distinguished by metal colour and underlay — the 17th in brass-gold over scarlet, the 18th in silver over blue — a difference that allows their boards to be told apart at a glance. As dragoons, the regiment was trained and equipped as light cavalry for reconnaissance, screening, and mounted action, a branch that retained considerable prestige in the Imperial service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eThe crowned monogram on the face is the cypher of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and appears to read as the interlaced “FF” of Friedrich Franz — the dynastic name borne by the duchy’s sovereigns — though the finest detail is partly obscured and the specific Grand Duke is therefore not asserted. The presence of both crown and cypher marks the regiment as one held under a royal chief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eCondition is very good and complete. The metallic cord retains strong braid definition with the expected tarnish to its gold surface. The gilt crown, cypher, and rank star are all present, secure, and hold good colour. The scarlet underlay is strong and full on both faces, with some old staining to the reverse and the collection label intact. The base shows cut cord ends in the manner normal to the unfinished tuck end. No restoration is evident in the provided images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 8.0pt;\"\u003eMecklenburg cavalry insignia is actively sought within the collect-by-state framework, and a complete officer’s board carrying the crowned Grand Ducal cypher, the correct scarlet underlay, and an unambiguous rank star stands well above a plain or numeral-only strap in desirability. The strong condition and the secure regimental and rank attribution make this an attractive anchor piece for a Mecklenburg or Imperial German cavalry collection, and the natural gold-corded companion to its silver-trimmed DR 18 counterpart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49701164744943,"sku":"23-1005 XJT@JT","price":311.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/23-1005_1.jpg?v=1781123738","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/imperial-german-mecklenburg-field-artillery-60-leutnant-officer-shoulder-board-copy","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}