Imperial German Grenadier Regiment 4 Hauptmann Shoulder Board Crowned Cypher

An original Hauptmann’s silver-cord shoulder board (Schulterstück) of Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4. The reverse carries a collection label reading “Fig. 2.1 – Gren. R. 4.” A gilt crown above an interlaced cypher, flanked by a pair of rank stars, denotes Hauptmann.

The board is built of flat braided silver cord worked in the herringbone pattern and turned at the rounded head, mounted on a white wool underlay. The lower field carries a gilt crown above an interlaced cypher, with one gilt six-pointed rank star (Stern) set above and a second below. A vertical button slit is worked at the head, and the squared base terminates in cut cord ends.

Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4 was a Prussian line grenadier regiment, the grenadier title marking a senior infantry corps of long lineage held under a royal chief. The crowned cypher honours that chief, and the white underlay is the Prussian line distinction.

The crowned monogram is an interlaced cypher beneath the crown; the precise letters are not cleanly resolved in the provided images and are therefore left unattributed. The two rank stars are the distinction of a Hauptmann.

Condition is good. The silver cord retains good braid definition with the expected tarnish, and the gilt crown, cypher, and both rank stars are present and secure. The white 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 grenadier captain’s board carrying a crowned cypher is a desirable and substantial piece, well suited to an infantry or rank-focused collection.