Saxon Leib Grenadier R 100 Officer Shoulder Board Leutnant Royal Cypher

This is a single original officer’s Schulterstück (shoulder board) that appears to belong to the 1. Königlich Sächsisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 100 (1st Royal Saxon Life Grenadier Regiment No. 100), the senior grenadier regiment of the Royal Saxon Army, garrisoned at Dresden. The crowned cypher and the absence of rank stars identify the wearer as a Leutnant (second lieutenant).

The board is built in the Imperial subaltern officer pattern: doubled flat-braided silver bullion cord over a wool underlay, the braid interwoven with the green silk fleck of Royal Saxon manufacture. At the center sits a gilt crowned cypher, an interlaced royal monogram surmounted by a pierced crown, consistent with the Saxon royal cypher (Albertus Rex type) used on the kingdom’s senior formations. The reverse is heavily backed with buckram and board stiffening and retains the slip-on tongue with collector’s notation.

As a Leib (Life) regiment, the unit held a place of honor within the Saxon establishment, its title denoting a guard relationship to the sovereign. The crowned cypher reflects the regiment’s royal chief. The Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 100 was among the most prestigious of the Saxon infantry and was garrisoned in the kingdom’s capital.

The green fleck confirms Saxon manufacture; the crowned cypher marks a royal chief and is consistent with the Saxon royal monogram of the senior grenadier regiment. The consignor notation records “IR 100,” but the board bears a cypher rather than the numeral 100; since a numeral and a cypher identify different things, the attribution rests on the crowned royal cypher and the regiment’s known status, and is offered as a likely rather than certain identification pending closer comparison of the monogram.

Condition is good. The silver bullion shows age tarnish with the green fleck visible. The gilt crowned cypher is complete and well struck. The reverse stiffening is intact, with the tongue present; some soiling and age toning are noted on the backing.

A Leutnant’s board of the senior Saxon Life Grenadier regiment, carrying a crowned royal cypher on the diagnostic green-fleck base, is a strong piece for a Saxon, grenadier, or royalty-focused collection. The royal association and guard status give it appeal beyond the ordinary numbered infantry board.